CIDG-7 lauded  for raids vs illegal  STL stations

CEBU, Philippines —  The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) hailed the prompt action taken by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) against the operation of an alleged illegal small town lottery (STL) operator in Cebu.

Melquiades "Mel" Robles, PCSO general manager and vice chairperson of the board, said that the PNP-CIDG in Central Visayas conducted a series of operations against the betting stations of STL operator Saturn Gaming N Amusement Corporation on June 14 resulting in the arrest of at least 31 bettors.

Robles said the arrest was the first concrete accomplishment of the police against illegal STL operations. The PNP-CIDG has also filed charges against the officers of the erring gaming firm.

CIDG-7 operatives also confiscated during the series of raids against the stations of Saturn Gaming N Amusements Corporation were various gaming paraphernalia and cash bets amounting to P24,245.

According to Robles, the authority of Saturn Gaming N Amusement Corporation to operate STL games had been invalidated by a PCSO board resolution effective last April 6.Earlier, Robles sought the assistance of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the PNP on the proliferation of illegal STL as well as a so-called Barangay Lucky Bingo in the provinces of Batangas and

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation advised the public to be cautious of offshore gaming-related employment opportunities offered in dating and messaging applications.

The state-run gaming and regulatory firm said it is investigating reports of offshore gaming jobs offered by “unscrupulous groups” to Filipinos and foreigners.

“The job postings, usually looking for prospective Customer Service Representatives with experience in cryptocurrency trading, entice unsuspecting victims with high-paying jobs and numerous attractive benefits only to find themselves being used in scam activities,” PAGCOR said in an advisory.

According to PAGCOR, online dating services and cryptocurrency investments are not part of its offshore gaming licensees and service providers.

It asked the public to report information on such unauthorized activities to its hotline 0927-809-8610 or email [email protected].

In May, the gaming regulator canceled the provisional accreditation of Sun Valley Clark as an offshore gaming hub within the Clark Freeport Zone for its failure to ensure a lawful and orderly conduct of offshore gaming in its registered sites. Around 1,090 foreign workers were rescued from the gaming hub, which was raided by authorities on May 4.

PAGCOR also canceled the accreditation of Pampanga-based offshore gaming provider CGC Technologies after the company was involved in alleged credit card fraud, serious illegal detention, and human trafficking activities.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros earlier said that human traffickers are using Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) as “legal cover” to carry out cryptocurrency scams in the country. — Philstar.com