In a major operation on Thursday, October 10th, authorities in the Philippines arrested Chinese national Lyu Dong, a key figure behind illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
The raid, led by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) in coordination with various military and immigration agencies, culminated in Dong’s capture in Biñan, Laguna, following an eight-month surveillance effort. Lyu Dong is accused of being behind scam hubs such as those across Bamban, Tarlac, and Porac, Pampanga.
The arrest of Lyu Dong, also known by his alias “Boga” or “Hao Hao” (which translates to “Boss of the Boss”), is considered a critical blow to the sprawling criminal network linked to POGOs. Dong, now 39, has operated in the Philippines since his arrival at the age of 26.
His arrest came as authorities executed an immigration mission order during a tense operation involving multiple agencies such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines Joint Special Operations Group, the Bureau of Immigration, and PAOCC.
PAOCC’s report to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin revealed that Dong’s arrest marks a significant step in a long-standing investigation aimed at bringing down POGO operators with ties to human trafficking, scams, and other illicit activities. Initial findings indicate that Dong’s true identity is Lin Xunhan, based on his passport.
However, Dong had used the name Lyu Dong in various transactions and social settings during his early years in the Philippines, according to statements from former associates.
Although Lyu Dong’s name does not appear in official records for Lucky South 99 POGO in Porac or Hongsheng/Zun Yuan in Bamban, PAOCC linked him to these notorious establishments, solidifying his role as one of the masterminds behind scam farms in these areas. These operations reportedly use legitimate businesses as fronts, making it difficult for authorities to trace and shut them down.
Dong’s operations have spread across multiple regions in the Philippines, including major cities like Pasay, Parañaque, Manila, and Makati in Metro Manila, as well as other provinces like Ilocos Sur in the north and Cebu in the Visayas. His wide-ranging influence and ability to evade law enforcement earned him the moniker “Hao Hao” within the POGO community, a testament to his extensive criminal reach.
PAOCC’s report noted that despite some raids on Dong’s operations, his illicit businesses have continued to thrive. Since 2016, Dong has methodically built an expansive network of scam farms across the country. Even as authorities shut down some of these operations, Dong’s network remains deeply entrenched, complicating law enforcement’s efforts to dismantle his criminal enterprise.
During Thursday’s operation, 13 Chinese nationals were arrested alongside Dong. Authorities also seized three 9mm caliber pistols. Among those arrested was a man identified as Zhang Jie, a name that surfaced during investigations into other POGO operations.
Although authorities initially suspected this Zhang Jie to be the same person involved with Lucky South 99 in Porac, further investigation is ongoing to confirm this connection.
PAOCC officials expressed concerns about Dong’s ability to manipulate the legal system to evade punishment. Dong had previously used the courts to quash search warrants issued against his operations, further complicating efforts to bring him to justice. His network is believed to have used loopholes in the law and the assistance of corrupt officials to maintain its illegal activities under the radar.
One prominent figure tied to Dong’s operations is Alice Guo, a dismissed mayor who is currently in jail facing human trafficking charges related to the Bamban POGO hub. Guo’s involvement has led to multiple ongoing investigations, including those implicating other individuals tied to her criminal activities. While Guo has pointed to her co-incorporator Huang Zhiyang as the real “big boss” of the Bamban POGO, Huang remains at large.
In Porac, investigators are focusing on Duanren Wu, the incorporator of Whirlwind, the lessor of Lucky South 99. Wu, a former Chinese policeman who is allegedly wanted in China, has become a person of interest for the Philippine Congress. Witnesses who testified before lawmakers claimed that Wu, who is also the godfather of another key suspect, Cassandra Ong, may be the true leader of the scam hubs in Porac.
As authorities continue their crackdown on POGOs, PAOCC emphasized the challenges posed by the complex and clandestine nature of these operations. Many of these scam farms are intricately linked to international criminal syndicates, complicating efforts to shut them down completely. Despite these challenges, the PAOCC remains committed to dismantling these networks and holding those responsible accountable.
The arrest of Lyu Dong marks a significant milestone in this ongoing effort. However, PAOCC stressed the importance of remaining vigilant and adapting strategies to counter the evolving tactics of POGO operators. The commission called for more comprehensive measures to detect and prevent similar scams from proliferating, not just in the Philippines but across the broader region.
