Campaign vs scam hubs launched

MANILA, Philippines —The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has launched a campaign to dismantle scam hubs in Metro Manila by targeting not only their operators, but also the financiers, recruiters, property owners and financial networks supporting their illegal activities.

Dubbed “Operation: Break the Chain,” the campaign will cover the NCRPO’s five police districts, with police personnel ordered to identify establishments suspected of being used as scam hubs and the people behind these.

The initiative follows a police raid on a parcel scam hub in Pasay City that led to the rescue of 159 foreign nationals, mostly Vietnamese and Indonesian.

A Chinese national and two Malaysians were tagged as operators of the facility.

Philippine National Police chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to expand its probe on the operations of the scam hub.

Authorities are also investigating the possible links of the suspects to Philippine offshore gaming operators or POGOs, which have been banned.

NCRPO officer-in-charge Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano directed district directors and station commanders to identify the owners of properties used by the scam hubs, as well as their operators, recruiters and financiers.

Police units were also ordered to coordinate with government agencies to trace suspicious financial transactions, verify corporate identities and determine whether legitimate businesses were being used as fronts for illegal operations.

The five police districts must regularly submit progress reports to the NCRPO headquarters, including information on establishments found to be involved, identified personalities, financial and corporate links, victim-protection measures and preparations for the filing of cases.