85 Filipino POGO workers deny cybercrime raps

MANILA, Philippines — Eighty-five Filipinos employed by a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) in Pasay have denied allegations they committed cybercrimes.

Accompanied by lawyer Gloria Quintos, the Filipinos – mostly women – filed counter-affidavits yesterday before the Department of Justice.

“They denied all the accusations against them regarding cybercrime-related fraud. At the same time, they said the computers they were using were not theirs. It’s their companies’ and that Rivendell has a license under Pagcor,” Quintos told reporters.

“When I asked them during our meeting, not one said what they were doing was illegal because they only address queries from clients on their computers. They never asked for money,” she added.

Last Aug. 1, authorities raided the POGO on suspicion that its employees were involved in cybercrimes, including love scams and “pig butchering,” a type of fraud wherein people are lured into online relationships and subsequently into cryptocurrency scams.

Twenty-nine foreigners involved in the POGO will be arraigned today at the Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 111 on charges of securities fraud.