In a large-scale operation, Philippine authorities have arrested more than 400 people in a raid on a suspected online gambling and scam hub in Pasay City, Manila.
Officials reported that the raid, conducted on February 26, targeted those believed to be involved in illegal online gaming, cryptocurrency fraud, and romance and investment scams.
According to a government report, the offenders include 207 Chinese and 132 Vietnamese nationals, along with individuals from South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Madagascar.
Among those found at the scene were 52 Filipinos working as housekeeping staff but officials have stated that these were not involved in criminal activities, though they were taken into custody for processing.
This isn’t the first set of arrests in recent times, with Philippine law enforcement cracking down on illegal online operations, but this latest bust highlights that regardless of the deterrent, it is still rife.
The raid itself was only sanctioned following a tip from a concerned citizen who noticed an unusual concentration of foreign nationals residing in the condominium building.
Computers, stacks of SIM cards, and other electronic devices were seized, as well as the Pasay City government ordering the closure of the establishment for lacking a business permit.
The crackdown on cyber scams has gained international attention, with the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights highlighting in a 2023 report that criminal syndicates across Southeast Asia have managed to convince hundreds of thousands of individuals to participate in online scams.
The continued presence of these illicit enterprises has raised concerns about corruption within regulatory and law enforcement bodies, with speculation that the potential of bribes has allowed illegal online gambling outfits to continue despite government efforts to dismantle them.
This latest operation signals renewed urgency in the Philippines’ fight against cyber-enabled fraud and illegal gambling networks, showcasing to those committing the crimes that the authorities will catch up to them.
