8 foreigners nabbed in POGO raids – DOJ

MANILA, Philippines — Eight foreign nationals allegedly linked to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) have been arrested in Muntinlupa City, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The eight were nabbed in a series of raids conducted by the DOJ, Bureau of Immigration (BI) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in a village in Muntinlupa.

The DOJ said two of the Chinese nationals were found to be overstaying in the Philippines. Another could not present travel documents.

Authorities found in the house a computer, which showed scripts used in a standard phishing scam. They also found a voice-over IP, which is usually used in telephone scams to avoid detection.

The DOJ said five more foreigners – four Chinese and a Vietnamese – were arrested during a raid on another house in Muntinlupa.

Four of the suspects were considered illegal aliens as they failed to present travel documents.

The illegal aliens violated the country’s immigration laws, according to the DOJ.

“From larger POGO or scam hubs composed of several buildings, they have reduced their operation to pocket groups in residential areas,” the DOJ said.

According to the agency, the raids were based on intelligence information and a mission order from the BI.

The DOJ said it coordinated with the NBI to provide a team to conduct the raids and serve the arrest warrants on the suspects.

Prior to this, three Chinese were apprehended during a raid on a house where a boss from a POGO facility in Porac, Pampanga allegedly resides.