Over 100 individuals arrested in Pasay scam hub undergo inquest

A total of 107 individuals from the cybercrime hub raided in Pasay City underwent inquest proceedings, including a Filipina who was rescued from a scam hub in Myanmar.

According to John Consulta's report on "24 Oras," the individuals in custody includes 87 Filipinos and 20 Chinese nationals. One of the persons arrested, Jenny (not her real name), was a human trafficking victim rescued in a Myanmar scam hub last April.

“Doon kasi Sir, ano, ang daming bawal, tapos, bawal lumabas, nananakit po sila. Binilad kami sa araw, tapos puro mga squats ganun,” she shared.

However, as she returned to the Philippines, Jenny said she saw a job opening in a Facebook advertisement that accepted over 30 years old applicants.

“Wala naman po akong alam na iligal po ito, sabi kasi licensed siya ng PAGCOR, so nag-apply po ako bilang admin, ‘di na katulad doon sa Myanmar,” Jenny said.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako na iniligtas nyo kami sa Myanmar. Humihingi din ako ng sorry kasi andito pa rin ako tapos nagkita pa tayo rito. Pasensya na lang po at sorry. Kailangan mabuhay ang anak ko, ako lang kasi mag-isa, so kailangan magtrabaho,” she added.

According to the Department of Justice, further operations will be conducted against scam hubs posing as Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).

The 107 individuals, including Jenny, have undergone inquest proceedings for violating the securities regulation code and Cybercrime Prevention Act. Meanwhile, the other individuals arrested in the operation are still being processed.

The alleged hub was raided on Tuesday by the National Bureau of Investigation.  Around 650 people were held during the raid, including 400 Filipinos. 

Apart from love scams, the workers were also asked to engage in crypto scams and task scams. -- Sherylin Untalan/BAP, GMA Integrated News