86 foreigners rounded up in another POGO-scam farm in Makati
A TOTAL of 86 foreign nationals, many of them from China accused of working for an underground POGO establishment-cum-‘scam farm’ in Makati City were rounded-up by combined agents of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Bureau of Immigration last Thursday, PNP-CIDG director, Major General Nicolas D. Torre III said yesterday.
In a report to PNP chief, General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, the official said that the raid at 100 West Condominium located along Senator Gil Puyat Avenue is part of their stepped-up effort to prevent the resurgence of illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator or POGO establishments ordered closed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. last December 31.
“Following the order of the President on the ban of all operations of POGO and Internet Gaming Licensees in the country and the directive of Gen. Marbil, we have further intensified our crackdown against economic sabotage, human trafficking and illegal operations of POGOs and IGLs,” Maj. Gen. Torre said.
The official said that last Thursday, they assisted the BI Fugitive Search Unit and the Makati City Police Station in implementing a BI Mission Order issued against a Chinese national accused of human trafficking inside the Makati City building.
He said that prior to the operation, a Filipina, acting on behalf of her Chinese friend, sought police assistance investigating ‘distressed messages’ secretly sent to her. The message claimed that the sender is being illegally detained and held against his will and prohibited from leaving his workplace at 100 West Condominium.
Maj. Gen. Torre said that the operation led to the arrest of 82 Chinese nationals, three Vietnamese and one Malaysian, who were all caught red-handed engaging in online scamming activities and illegal POGO operations
Officers also seized numerous computers and electronic equipment used in the illegal online operations taking place at the building.
Maj. Gen. Torre said that one of the arrested foreigners identified as alias ‘Tran’ turned out to be a Chinese national serving as an administrative staff of a suspected POGO firm called Sales Street Online-Gaming Supported Provider.
“The company is operating under an online scheme resembling to “E-commerce’ where they target online consumers and businesses for financial gain, involving various methods to trick users into providing personal or financial information, or making fraudulent transactions,” the PNP-CIDG director said.
He said that a criminal complaint for violation of Republic Act 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 would be filed against Tran, among others.
The apprehended foreign nationals were placed under the custody of the BI for documentation and further investigation of their immigration records for possible filing of additional violations of the country’s laws, including the Philippine Immigration Act, Maj. Gen. Torre added.
“This successful operation underscores the national government, the PNP CIDG and the Bureau of Immigration’s enhanced coordination and intensified efforts against illegal POGOs and IGLs, pursuant to Executive Order Number 74,” he said.
“Rest assured that your CIDG is unyielding in catching and cracking down individuals and syndicates, local or foreign nationals, who are involved in all types of crimes in the country, including trafficking in persons and illegal operations of POGOs/IGLs,” Maj. Gen. Torre said, as he urged the public to report all suspected POGO activities and other illegal acts in their localities so that they can take necessary actions.
