TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Police in the Philippines busted a fraud ring in Cebu City on May 15, arresting 17 Taiwanese citizens.

The group was operating out of a residential property in Cebu and targeting fellow Taiwanese with online “romance” scams to defraud them of money. The Manila Bulletin reported that the suspects are associated with Taiwan’s Four Seas gang.

The suspects included 16 men and one woman, six of whom have outstanding arrest warrants for crimes committed in Taiwan. Taiwanese authorities are working with their Philippine counterparts to extradite the individuals to stand trial in Taiwan, Philstar reported.

In addition to Taiwanese nationals, the group also targeted Malaysian and Chinese victims.

The Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) began investigating the fraud ring based on a notice from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines, according to Philstar. The Philippines’ Naval Security and Intelligence Group assisted with gathering and verifying intelligence ahead of the raid.

One member of the ring, who had an outstanding warrant, was reportedly flagged earlier this year after taking a flight from Manila to Cebu. By tracking the individual’s movements, the NBI discovered the group’s base of operations.

Taiwan’s police attaché at TECO, Matt Shen, thanked Philippine law enforcement officers for their efforts to dismantle the criminal operation. “NBI's swift response prevented further harm to potential victims. I deeply admire NBI's commitment and effort,” Shen told the Manila Bulletin.