Manila: Philippine authorities have arrested 244 foreign nationals in a major crackdown on illegal offshore gaming operations allegedly being used as fronts for organised crime, including online fraud, human trafficking, money laundering and other serious offences.
The arrests came after security and immigration officials conducted raids at two locations in Mindanao on Friday, marking one of the Philippines’ biggest operations against illegal offshore gaming activities this year.
244 Arrested In Two Raids
At the first location, authorities detained 113 people, including:
- 110 Chinese nationals
- 2 Cambodian nationals
- 1 Hong Kong resident
Another 131 foreign nationals were arrested at the second site. Most were Chinese citizens, while others were from Malaysia, Indonesia and Myanmar.
Investigators also seized a large quantity of electronic equipment, including computers, mobile phones, laptops and SIM cards, as authorities examine the activities being conducted at the sites.
Why Are POGOs Under The Scanner?
The raids are part of a wider crackdown on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, or POGOs.
The Philippine government banned POGOs in 2024, citing concerns that criminal groups were exploiting the industry as a cover for activities ranging from online scams and money laundering to kidnapping, human trafficking and murder.
Authorities are now investigating whether some of those arrested in the latest raids were involved in trafficking-related offences. Those not facing further proceedings are expected to be deported.
Southeast Asia’s Growing Scam-Centre Problem
The crackdown comes amid growing international concern over large-scale scam networks operating across Southeast Asia.
People trafficked into these operations have reportedly been forced or coerced into running online fraud schemes, including fake cryptocurrency investment offers and other digital scams.
A United Nations assessment had estimated that around 120,000 people in Myanmar and 100,000 in Cambodia could be trapped in scam operations, highlighting the scale of the regional problem.
Philippine Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado said authorities would continue enforcing immigration laws and preventing the country from becoming a base for illegal activities.
China’s embassy in Manila said it was seeking information from Philippine authorities about the arrests. A Chinese embassy spokesperson also noted that Chinese law prohibits gambling, including for Chinese nationals working for gambling companies overseas.
Key Numbers
244 — Foreign nationals arrested
131 — Arrested at the second raid site
110 — Chinese nationals detained at the first site
2 — Locations raided in Mindanao
2024 — Year the Philippines banned POGOs
120,000 — Estimated people potentially trapped in scam operations in Myanmar
100,000 — Estimated people potentially trapped in scam operations in Cambodia
The latest operation underscores how online scam networks have increasingly moved beyond simple internet fraud, becoming linked to human trafficking and organised criminal networks operating across borders.
