Law enforcement rescues 162 foreign nationals from POGO scam hub in Cebu

Law enforcement agencies rescued 162 foreign nationals from an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub during a raid at Tourist Garden Hotel in Barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on Saturday.

The operation was initiated after the Indonesian Embassy requested assistance for eight of their nationals who were being held against their will in the facility, leading to the discovery of multiple scam farms inside multi-story buildings.

Computers and cellphones were seized as evidence of cybercrime activities. Five Filipinos engaged in scamming activities were also found during the raid.

The rescued individuals included 83 Chinese, 70 Indonesians, two Taiwanese, six Burmese, and one Malaysian national. Some had escaped from a similar facility in Pampanga before being brought to Cebu.

A minor was rescued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) who offered dance lessons to one of the guests, while NBI is set to file human trafficking charges against the operators.