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Philippine police conducted a pre-dawn raid on a Chinese-run scam centre in Manila, arresting 67 foreign and 32 Filipino workers accused of operating fraudulent trading schemes. The centre, disguised as a licensed online gaming company, was found to be involved in a “manipulated” cryptocurrency investment scam and a “love scam,” where employees posed as wealthy models to deceive victims into investing.
Among the arrested were 58 Chinese nationals, along with individuals from Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The raid follows President Ferdinand Marcos’ recent ban on online gaming companies due to their links with scams, kidnappings, human trafficking, and murder.
The operation reportedly involved coercion, with some Filipino workers forced into scamming roles under threat of unspecified consequences. The centre’s owner and manager, both Chinese nationals, were also detained.
This crackdown is part of a broader government effort to combat illegal online gambling and associated criminal activities. President Marcos had previously promised to address the issue after allegations surfaced involving a local mayor accused of fraudulent activities and subsequently fleeing the country. Authorities suspect numerous illegal gambling operations may be masquerading as legitimate businesses.
