700 Filipinos Rescued From Bataan POGO Hub Involved in Online Sports Betting Scams

November 4, 2024 Philippines Crime & Legal

Authorities raided a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) and scam hub allegedly fronting as a business process outsourcing company in Bagac, Bataan. Over 700 Filipinos were rescued during the raid held at the the Centro Park compound in Bagac last October 31, 2024.

Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) authorities conducted surveillance operations on Central One in Bataan after receiving information that they are doing human trafficking activities.

Over 700 Filipinos were rescued while 42 foreigners were placed under police custody, according to a TV Patrol report. It took them until past midnight of November 1 to round up the employees.

A separate report from the Philippine Daily Inquirer also detailed that they received reports of online sports betting scams being operated in the company.

The suspected Philippine offshore gaming operations hub raided by authorities in Bataan on October 31 was reportedly engaged in human trafficking, scamming, and other illegal activities, a Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) official said Saturday.

“Nakatanggap kami ng mga report, complaints galing sa mga Pilipino na di umano meron human trafficking activities sa ilang sections ng Central One Bataan at may mga scamming activities din. (We received complaints from Filipinos that there are allegedly human trafficking activities in some sections of Central One Bataan. There are also scamming activities as well),” said Casio.

The warrants were issued on October 29. Casio said Capital One lacks a permit from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to operate.

“Meron itong lisensya sa authority of freeport of Bataan bilang business process outsourcing, kaya lang ang kanilang activites goes beyond back office, ‘di lang ito customer service (They have a license as a business process outsourcing. However, their activities go beyond back office operations. This is not just about customer service),” Casio said.

Casio also pointed out: “This is out of the ordinary; there seem to be indicators of black market banking.

“We also saw them using a gaming platform we call Winbox. That Winbox gaming platform is banned in other countries because it is flagged down as [it is] used in so-called cryptocurrency investment scams.”

Suspects are currently facing violations of the Anti-Trafficking and the Expanded Trafficking in Persons Acts.

Although the raid led to the capture of the company’s top executives, the PAOCC official reported that five individuals—four Malaysians and one Thai national—are still at large and need to be located.