Philippines arrests 400 foreigners in scam center raid

Authorities in Manila arrested around 400 foreign nationals during a large-scale raid on a suspected online scam operation on Wednesday, according to the Philippine Bureau of Immigration. The raid targeted a building where workers were allegedly involved in online scams aimed at defrauding victims abroad.

Such scam operations, often linked to human trafficking, have drawn growing international concern in recent years. Victims are typically lured or coerced into working for these syndicates, promoting fraudulent cryptocurrency investments and other scams.

Fortunato Manahan, the Bureau of Immigration's intelligence chief, described the operation as violating immigration laws and posing significant risks to the public. He emphasized the importance of cracking down on these illicit activities, which are increasingly associated with organized crime.

The raid comes amid President Ferdinand Marcos’ announcement of a ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) by the end of 2024. Authorities have found that these establishments are often exploited as fronts for human trafficking, money laundering, online fraud, and other serious crimes.

The foreign nationals arrested in the raid, many of whom are reportedly Chinese, are undergoing booking procedures and will be temporarily detained while awaiting deportation, said immigration bureau spokeswoman Dana Sandoval.

A report from the United States Institute of Peace in May 2024 highlighted the scale of online scams globally, estimating annual revenues of $64 billion for these operations. It noted that the industry employs around half a million workers, including 15,000 in the Philippines, many of whom are trafficked and forced into scams under the threat of violence or torture if they fail to meet quotas.

The Philippines' efforts to combat these criminal operations underscore a growing regional push to address the human and economic toll of online scam syndicates.