Raids on illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) continue, with a recent enforcement action netting 49 foreign nationals at a commercial building in Pasay City.
The raid was conducted on March 14th by the Bureau of Immigration and the National Bureau of Investigation.
Authorities say that the individuals were operating an online scam hub under the guise of a legitimate digital services and online marketing company.
Those arrested were found to be working without proper visas, while two had ‘active derogatory records’.
Those arrested include a 29-year-old Bangladeshi under a watchlist order for alleged involvement in illegal recruitment activities. A 25-year-old Pakistani that was detained was also under an alert list order due to suspected financial fraud.
All detainees will undergo deportation and blacklisting.
All POGO activities were banned in the Philippines starting from January 1st of 2025 and authorities have pledged to eradicate all illegal POGO operations in the nation by the end of the year.
Speaking of the recent raid, Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said that the “government will not tolerate any form of exploitation or fraudulent activity that harms our people and our economy”.
