In a significant law enforcement operation in Manila, Philippines, authorities apprehended over 400 individuals suspected to be part of an illicit online gambling and scam operation. The raid, which took place in a bustling commercial sector, resulted in the detention of 401 people, including 207 Chinese and 132 Vietnamese nationals. This group was discovered Wednesday night within a condominium complex in Pasay City and is believed to be involved in unauthorized online gaming, as well as various fraudulent schemes, such as cryptocurrency, romance scams, and investment cons, according to a governmental report.
Among those detained were individuals from South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Madagascar. Despite efforts to eliminate such operations, these illicit online activities seem to continue, unaffected by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to eradicate them by the end of last year. While many of these gambling ventures may have relocated to Cambodia, Myanmar, and other regions, a number have persisted in the Philippines, branching into diverse internet-based deceitful activities.
Speculations abound that Philippine officials might have previously permitted the operation of illegal online gambling enterprises in return for substantial bribes. The latest crackdown was reportedly motivated by a tip-off from a concerned member of the public, who noticed an unusual influx of foreign nationals into the building in question. Authorities removed 52 local Filipino individuals acting as support staff, who were not implicated in the criminal activities under investigation, from the site. The Pasay city government has since shut the online hub for lacking an official business permit.
During the operation, law enforcement confiscated computers, numerous SIM cards, and other electronic devices allegedly used by the suspects for targeting victims internationally. In the past, individuals playing pivotal roles in these online scams faced charges related to human trafficking and cybercriminal conduct in the Philippines. Conversely, those coerced or deceitfully recruited were often deported to their homelands.
In a report by the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights in 2023, concerns were raised about criminal organizations compelling countless individuals across Southeast Asia into engaging in illicit online scams. These include fabricated romantic schemes, fake investments, and unlawful gambling activities, which pose substantial issues in Asia. Victims, often exploited under harsh conditions, are forced to perpetrate scams targeting online users, notably in China, where gambling remains illegal.
