PNP AKG arrests 4 Chinese nationals for POGO-related kidnapping

Four Chinese nationals, identified as Li Yunhan, 30; Shao Jiwen, 35; Song Haiqing, 27, and Li Huigi, 42, were arrested by the PNP's Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) in Parañaque City for kidnapping a fellow Chinese citizen.

The suspects, who previously worked for Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), operated as money changers and targeted individuals exchanging large sums of money.

The victim, a 30-year-old Chinese national, met with the suspects at a casino to seek assistance in transferring P100,000 to China for his mother's medical bills.

After the victim handed over the money, the suspects lured him to a resort-casino to complete the transaction, where they held him captive.

During his captivity, the victim managed to discreetly call a friend through a borrowed mobile phone, who then contacted law enforcement via the 911 emergency hotline.

The suspects demanded more money and forced the victim to transfer 50,000 USDT from his cryptocurrency wallet in exchange for his release.

AKG operatives rescued the victim, and the arrested suspects have been operating as money changers for a long time, according to PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III.