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In a large-scale operation in Manila, Philippine authorities raided a suspected online scam hub on January 8, detaining approximately 400 foreign nationals, many of whom are reportedly Chinese.
According to a statement from the Philippine Bureau of Immigration, the raid targeted a building suspected of housing operations that scammed overseas victims through online schemes.
Fortunato Manahan, head of the Bureau’s Intelligence Division, described the raid as part of an ongoing effort to curb illegal activities. “Their operations were found to violate immigration laws and pose significant risks to the public,” Manahan stated.
The crackdown aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s pledge to eliminate Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) by the end of 2024. The government claims that organized crime groups exploit these operators as fronts for human trafficking, money laundering, online scams, kidnapping, and even murder.
The Bureau of Immigration revealed that it had been monitoring the raided company for an extended period, noting its activities resembled those of POGOs. The detained individuals are now in temporary custody and will face deportation after further investigation.
Online scamming has become a global concern, with its impact extending far beyond the Philippines. A 2024 report by the Washington-based United States Institute of Peace estimated that online scammers target millions of victims worldwide, generating as much as $64 billion annually.
The report also highlighted the human cost of these operations, noting that the industry employs an estimated 500,000 people, including 15,000 in the Philippines. Many are recruited via social media and later coerced into participating in fraudulent schemes. Those who fail to meet performance targets often face abuse and torture.
