SoKor, UN execs inspect Bamban scam hub

MANILA, Philippines — Officials from South Korea and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as well as the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on Wednesday inspected the dismantled Baofu scam compound in Bamban, Tarlac to assess the extent of criminal operations uncovered at the site.

The South Korean embassy said the joint inspection was part of ongoing efforts to counter human trafficking, cyber fraud and other transnational crimes as well as explore deeper international coordination.

The Baofu compound, which was raided by authorities in March 2024, had been linked to illegal online gambling, human trafficking and large-scale scam operations.

Illegal activities that once existed in the area were tied to former Bamban mayor Alice Guo, who was convicted of human trafficking last month.

Embassy officials, Korean police consuls and help desk officers joined the inspection to strengthen coordination with Philippine law enforcers.

The group also visited a Korean help desk in Angeles City to check if its response system is functioning effectively for Korean residents and tourists.

The embassy said it is planning to continue coordinating with officials of PAOCC and UNODC based on the findings of the visit.

Efforts will focus on long-term cooperations including investigative information exchange, judicial collaboration and victim support.

The help desk was established in August in eight police stations in Manila and Angeles following crime incidents involving Korean nationals.

The help desk, created through coordination between the South Korean embassy and the PAOCC, was intended to improve citizen protection and police response.

In Cambodia, where similar cases have been reported, Korean and Cambodian police launched a joint task force to address fraud, trafficking and confinement cases affecting Korean nationals.

The South Korean government gave assurance that it would ensure rapid action regarding overseas crimes involving its citizens, from receiving reports to rescuing victims, conducting investigations and facilitating repatriation of suspects.