By Benjamin Cuaresma
August 2, 2023
PASAY CITY — A swift and coordinated operation led by the Department of Justice, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Philippine National Police culminated in a surprise raid at the SKK Building in Pasay City. The building was suspected to be a hub for orchestrating love scams and cryptocurrency frauds.
In a meticulously planned operation on Tuesday, August 2, 2023, law enforcement agents apprehended a total of 640 individuals. Among them, 400 were Filipino citizens, while the remaining detainees consisted of foreign nationals hailing from China and India.
The raid resulted in the confiscation of an array of incriminating items, including hundreds of mobile phones, computers, SIM cards, and various other electronic devices. Acting under the authority of search warrants, the authorities thoroughly combed through the five-story SKK Building, uncovering the extent of the illicit activities taking place within its walls.
Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty revealed that the company responsible for the operation had acquired legal recognition and licensing as a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO), concealing their illicit pursuits behind this façade.
Investigations point to the involvement of Chinese nationals as the masterminds behind these cybercrime love scams, underscoring the transnational nature of the illegal operations. (ai/mnm)
