MANILA — The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has filed charges of qualified human trafficking against 20 foreign nationals involved in a scam hub raided in Parañaque City on February 20.
PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz confirmed that the raid took place at the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub at the ATI building, located near the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).
The hub, run by Chinese nationals, was linked to investment and love scams that exploited foreign nationals.
A total of 435 POGO workers were arrested, including 148 foreign nationals. Cruz emphasized that the charges were based on the facilitation of illegal employment at the scam hub, which lacked proper operating permits.
Among the victims were three Vietnamese women, who were allegedly used as models to lure investors into fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes.
PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio stated that criminal charges are also being considered against the building’s owner and the potential forfeiture of the ATI building, which was used by the Dan Ying Gaming Corp. to run the scam for two years. The corporation is reportedly owned by a prominent Filipino-Chinese businessman.
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