Twenty foreigners and two Filipinos arrested in a POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) raid in Parañaque City on February 20 have undergone inquest proceedings for qualified human trafficking charges.
Among those facing complaints is the POGO hub’s boss, accused of running an illegal love scam and cryptocurrency fraud operation. Victims were promised legitimate jobs as customer service representatives but were instead forced into scamming activities.
Key Developments:
- Human trafficking charges filed against key individuals.
- Three Vietnamese models and a Filipino woman testified, revealing how investors were lured through romance scams before being pressured into investing in cryptocurrency.
- Over 300 Filipino employees released but remain under investigation for alleged illegal sports betting targeting Indian nationals.
- Indian and Chinese embassies are coordinating with authorities regarding the confiscated items and deportation of foreign workers.
The Bureau of Immigration is prioritizing the immediate deportation of arrested foreigners but flagged that some escape during layovers—a loophole that authorities aim to close.