POGO hubs used as hideouts for foreign fugitives, Chinese nationals arrested

Updated Wed, March 5, 2025 at 2:12 PM Published Mon, March 3, 2025 at 5:51 PM

Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) are being used as hideouts for foreign fugitives, primarily Chinese nationals, involved in various scams.

Recent raids on POGO facilities in Parañaque and Pasay have led to the arrest of 559 foreign nationals, including 13 Chinese fugitives wanted for cryptocurrency scams and casino operations.

These fugitives obtained Philippine-issued identification cards with assumed names to conceal their identities and enter the country despite existing bans.

In a recent preliminary investigation at the Department of Justice, 18 Chinese nationals and 2 Filipinos arrested in a Parañaque POGO hub filed their counter-affidavits on qualified trafficking complaints.

Vietnamese nationals, claiming to be 'models' used to lure victims into cryptocurrency scams, have testified against the arrested individuals.

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