Philippines arrests 244 ‘mostly Chinese’ workers in online scam crackdown
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Large quantities of computer equipment, mobile phones, laptops and SIM cards were seized by the authorities.
PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO
- Philippine authorities arrested 244 foreign workers in their largest crackdown on illegal online gaming operators, known as POGOs, accused of human trafficking and other crimes.
- Raids in Mindanao seized computer equipment and detained mostly Chinese nationals, alongside Cambodians, Malaysians, Indonesians and Myanmar citizens.
- The government is investigating human trafficking allegations and plans to deport those arrested, emphasising strict enforcement of immigration laws to stop illegal activities.
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MANILA – Philippines authorities arrested more than 200 “mostly Chinese” foreign workers in the country’s largest crackdown on illegal online gaming operators in 2026, the immigration bureau said.
Manila banned Philippine online gaming operators, known locally as POGOs, in 2024 on the grounds that organised crime groups used them as a cover for human trafficking, money laundering, online fraud, kidnappings and murder.
The military and other law enforcement agencies raided two addresses in the southern region of Mindanao on Oct 2, arresting 110 Chinese nationals, two Cambodians and a Hong Kong resident at one site, an immigration bureau statement released late on Oct 3 said.
Another 131 foreigners were arrested at the second site who were “mostly Chinese” and also included citizens of Malaysia, Indonesia and Myanmar.
The bureau said “large quantities” of computer equipment, mobile phones, laptops and SIM cards were seized.
The government is investigating possible human trafficking-related offences by a number of those arrested, while the rest will be deported.
International concern has grown in recent years over similar scam operations in other Asian nations that are often staffed by trafficking victims tricked or coerced into promoting bogus cryptocurrency investments and other cons.
“We will continue to enforce our immigration laws against foreign nationals who violate the conditions of their stay and ensure that the Philippines is not used as a base for illegal activities,” immigration chief Joel Viado said in the statement.
He described the raids as “the largest POGO bust of 2026”.
“We are reaching out to the Philippine law enforcement agencies on the details of this case,” Chinese embassy spokesman Ji Lingpeng said.
“Chinese law prohibits any form of gambling, including Chinese nationals gambling overseas or working for gambling companies,” he added. AFP