NBI Warns How Small Groups From POGOs Gather Information About Their Target Victims

October 16, 2024 Philippines Crime & Legal

Recent operations by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have revealed a troubling trend among Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). In an apparent attempt to evade detection, these operators are reportedly forming smaller groups and setting up shop in residential areas. This comes amid a significant raid on a residential unit in Makati City, where authorities arrested 17 foreigners involved in alleged scamming activities.

According to a report aired on the October 15, 2024 episode of 24 Oras, the arrested individuals were found at their workstations engaged in various scams, including love scams and cryptocurrency fraud. The NBI’s Cybercrime Division Chief, Jeremy Lotoc, provided insights into how these scammers operate.

“Pag nakakuha sila ng pool of information, magko-conduct sila ng background investigation kung sino ang target nila. Pag nakita nila yung pattern, yung character, yung hobby, yung daily activities at the same time yung longings ng kanilang victims, ie-engage nila through social engineering,” Lotoc explained. (When they obtain a pool of information, they conduct a background investigation to identify their target. When they see the pattern, character, hobbies, daily activities, and longings of their victims, they engage them through social engineering.)

Lotoc further emphasized the sophistication of these operations, noting, “Merong hacker, merong buyer ng data. May nakita kaming program-coded script na pwede magamit to access other systems without the authority nor consent of the system owner we assume meron silang activity in terms of hacking.” (There are hackers and data buyers. We found a program-coded script that can be used to access other systems without the authority or consent of the system owner. We assume they have hacking activities.)

The NBI has determined that the individuals arrested are linked to larger POGO companies. “Yung malalaking POGO, nag-group sila into smaller group, nag-o-occupy ng residential units, apartments, para hindi mahalata na POGO, yun pa rin. To continue their scamming activities,” stated NBI Director Jimmy Santiago. (The larger POGOs have grouped into smaller units and are occupying residential units and apartments to avoid detection. They continue their scamming activities.)

In the aftermath of the raid, the NBI is now examining the confiscated computers to extract details about the victims. An inquest has already been conducted on those arrested, and they face charges related to online fraud as well as violations of the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

In a related development, Bureau of Immigration (BI) spokesperson Dana Sandoval announced that more than 12,000 foreign POGO workers from discontinued POGOs have applied to downgrade their working visas. These workers have been given a deadline of October 15 to convert their 9G visas into tourist visas. They must leave the Philippines by the end of the year if they do not wish to return to a working status.

Sandoval explained the implications of this downgrade: “Foreign workers whose working visas have been downgraded will be reverted to having a temporary visitor status.” This policy reflects the government’s efforts to regulate the POGO industry, which has faced increasing scrutiny over its operations and the legality of its activities.