Authorities raided an office in Parañaque, arresting 453 individuals linked to illegal POGO and scam operations. Learn more about the crackdown and ongoing investigation.
Authorities in the Philippines have intensified their crackdown on illegal offshore gaming and scam operations. On Thursday, a major raid at an office building in the Bay Area of Parañaque City led to the arrest of 453 individuals suspected of involvement in illicit Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) and fraudulent activities.
The operation was a coordinated effort by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the Department of Justice Office of Cybercrime (DOJ OOC), and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC). The raid stemmed from an arrest warrant issued for a Chinese national allegedly involved in fraud. Authorities had been monitoring the individual, an employee of a suspected illegal POGO, for months.
A High-Tech Hub for Fraud?
Inside the three-story building, authorities discovered 453 employees, including 146 foreign nationals, most of whom were Chinese. Many were found working at computer stations, raising suspicions that the location was being used for illicit online gaming and scam operations.
According to PAOCC Spokesperson Director Winston Casio, the POGO had been operating for two years, relocating from the ASEANA area after law enforcement ramped up its scrutiny.
“They’ve been operating for two years without stopping. They moved here from ASEANA when things got too hot over there,” Casio told GMA Integrated News.
Authorities believe the building was divided into sections, each dedicated to different fraudulent activities. PAOCC Executive Director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz revealed that one of the floors was set up specifically for online betting scams targeting Indian nationals.
“The sixth floor was dedicated to an online betting scam, primarily targeting Indians. Meanwhile, Filipino employees were stationed on another floor,” Cruz explained.
During the raid, investigators found scam scripts at workstations, providing further evidence of fraudulent schemes.
A Repeat Offender?
Authorities were particularly alarmed to learn that this POGO had already been raided and ordered to shut down in the past—yet it resurfaced under a new name. Shockingly, the company was operating with a Mayor’s permit, business license, and barangay permit. They are currently investigating how this company obtained the documents and their legality.
“Before permits are issued—whether from the barangay or city hall—there should be a thorough inspection of the establishment,” Cruz said. “If a company claims to be in the entertainment business, are they really offering entertainment? Or is it just a front for scams like what we found here?”
What’s Next for the Arrested Individuals?
The foreigners arrested from the operation are currently detained at the PAOCC detention facility. Meanwhile, Filipino emlployers are also being questioned as part of the investigation.
Hundreds of devices and sim cards seized during the raid will also be analyzed by digital forensic experts.
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