Most Koreans Nabbed From Pasay POGO Hub Had Valid Visas

Despite holding resident visas, six Koreans arrested in a Pasay City scam hub face deportation after being caught in illegal operations.

Despite holding various resident visas, the six Korean nationals arrested for allegedly running an illegal offshore gaming operation and scam hub in a Pasay City hotel basement will face immigration charges, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) revealed Tuesday.

While some of the arrested individuals presented seemingly valid visas, including a 9G pre-arranged employment visa and several resident visas, these documents do not exempt them from potential violations of the Philippine Immigration Act. BI Fugitive Search Unit Chief Rendel Ryan Sy explained that even with valid resident visas, if individuals are caught engaging in illegal activities, their visas can be revoked, and they can be deported.

POGOs are currently illegal in the Philippines, following an order from president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 

“Kahit anong visang hawak nila dito, kahit may resident visa sila, given na nahuli natin na may ginagawa silang violation dito. Maari pong marevoke yung kanilang visa at madeport sila,” Sy stated, as reported by GMA News. 

(Even if they have resident visas, given that we caught them doing violations, we can still revoke their visas and deport them.) 

One of the Koreans arrested was already on the BI’s blacklist since 2023 for overstaying, and another presented a 9G visa that was issued for a different company, raising further questions about their legal status. The remaining individuals held different resident visas.

The arrested Koreans will undergo immigration inquest proceedings for these violations. This is in addition to the potential criminal charges they may face following the investigation by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

PAOCC and the PNP-CIDG have secured a warrant to search and examine data from computers and gadgets seized during the raid, including hundreds of OTP generators and USBs suspected of containing cryptocurrency wallets. PAOCC agents revealed that the scammers were targeting cryptocurrency, potentially stealing funds by obtaining seed phrases.

The investigation will also extend to the hotel management where the illegal operation was being run. PAOCC Executive Director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz questioned how the group was able to operate within the hotel and warned that the hotel could face criminal charges if they refuse to cooperate with the investigation. Cruz also indicated that PAOCC will recommend the closure of the hotel.

Cruz emphasized the need for vigilance among hotels and other establishments, stating: “This will serve as a warning also to other hotels. They should look into sa mga umuupa sa kanila . Kasi they cannot just say na nagulat na lang kami na ganito pala yung ginagawa nila.” 

(This will serve as a warning also to other hotels. They should look into those renting from them. Because they cannot say ‘We were surprised over what they were doing.”)

Read related article : Koreans, Filipinos Arrested in PH POGO Scam Raid