Over 2,000 Chinese POGO workers with criminal records deported

Over 2,000 Chinese nationals working for Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) have been deported after authorities confirmed they have criminal records in China.

The deportation of these workers, which includes those involved in cybercrime fraud, began on January 15, 2019, with around 70,000 Chinese nationals reportedly part of the POGO industry.

PAGCOR stated that it is actively cooperating with Chinese law enforcement authorities and the Chinese Embassy to crack down on these individuals.

The Chinese Embassy mandated POGO employers to deport Chinese nationals with criminal records, and failure to do so will involve the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for apprehension.

The BI will also track and cancel the passports of Chinese nationals involved in telecommunications fraud.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged authorities to hunt down Chinese syndicates in the POGO industry and suggested an inter-agency task force, including the PNP, NBI, and BI, to intensify crackdowns on these criminal groups.