(CLO) On Wednesday (January 8), Philippine authorities arrested about 400 foreigners in a large-scale raid on a suspected online fraud center in the capital Manila, according to information from the Philippine National Immigration Bureau.
During the raid, authorities discovered employees allegedly involved in online fraud activities targeting victims overseas.
Illustration: AdamCohn
In recent years, Asia’s scam hubs have become an international concern. Many of these facilities employ victims of human trafficking, tricked or forced into activities such as fake cryptocurrency investment offers and other scams.
“Their activities violate immigration law and pose serious risks to the public,” said Fortunato Manahan, director of the Bureau of Immigration Intelligence.
In July last year, President Ferdinand Marcos announced a ban on Philippine online gaming operators (POGOs) by the end of 2024. Manila says these establishments are often exploited by organized crime gangs to carry out acts of human trafficking, money laundering, online fraud, kidnapping and even murder.
The Immigration Bureau said the company that was raided had been under long-term surveillance for POGO-like activities.
Most of those arrested were Chinese nationals and are being held pending deportation, said Dana Sandoval, a spokeswoman for the Immigration Bureau.
According to a May 2024 report by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), online fraud groups around the world have targeted millions of victims, generating annual revenue of up to $64 billion.
The report estimates the industry employs about 500,000 people, including 15,000 in the Philippines. Many are recruited through social media and then forced to commit fraud, facing harsh penalties if they fail to meet targets.
Cao Phong (according to AFP, StraitsTimes)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/philippines-bat-400-nguoi-nuoc-ngoai-trong-cuoc-dot-kich-trung-tam-lua-dao-truc-tuyen-post329644.html
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