DOJ probes POGOs’ ‘link’ to cyber scam

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. will conduct an inventory of the licenses issued to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators or POGOs following a recent raid on a business processing company suspected to be involved in illegal activities.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the investigation would determine whether the Colorful and Leap Group located at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga was engaged in internet scamming and employing victims of human trafficking.

Twelve “retainers” of the company – seven Chinese, four Indonesians and a Malaysian – were inquested at the DOJ on Saturday for human trafficking in relation to cybercrime, serious illegal detention and kidnapping, and violation of immigration laws, according to DOJ Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano.

At least 1,090 foreigners were rescued from the facility, where they were reportedly forced to work up to 18 hours a day under strict conditions.

The women were reportedly told to persuade customers to buy cryptocurrency from the company, or entice them into a romantic relationship so the women could extract money.

The trafficked victims included citizens of Vietnam, 389; China, 307; the Philippines, 171; Indonesia, 143; Nepal, 40; Malaysia, 25; Myanmar seven; Thailand, five; Taiwan two, and Hong Kong, one.

“Male employees were told to pretend to be women to lure foreigners to invest in cryptocurrency,” the DOJ said.

The Senate is set to conduct an inquiry into the supposed human trafficking and cyber fraud operations at the Clark Freeport Zone. – Paolo Romero