Alleged online casino scam hubs raided, 12 nabbed

Twelve persons in alleged online casino scam hubs were arrested in a series of raids conducted by the police in Cavite and Parañaque, according to a "24 Oras" report by John Consulta on Friday.

The operations were conducted by the National Capital Region Police Office and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

“They were employees of a pogo [company] before… pogo operators. Eto mga Pilipino, pumunta na ngayon [at] nagsarili, and then meron na silang online casino hub. Eto yung mga bahay bahay… In 2022, [ang] pinakamataas na earning nila is something like P200 million. Nawala na din sa kanila,” said NCRPO Regional Director Police Major General Melencio Nartarez Jr.

(They were employees of a pogo [company] before… pogo operators. These Filipinos, they started their own, and then they now have an online casino hub. These are the ones in houses… In 2022, the highest earning they had was something like P200 million. They lost it, too)

“Niloko na nila yung mga kliyente nila o yung nag-online sa kanila dahil di nila binabalik yung pera eh. Yung P200 million, sinugal nila sa casino… Nawala rin,” he added.

(They scammed their clients or those who went online with them because they didn’t return the money. The P200 million, they gambled it in the casino.)

According to PAGCOR, the operation had no permits processed with the agency.

“This is not sanctioned by the PAGCOR, meaning illegal, no permit, no tax. Pilipino ang nag-gaming dito. (The Filipinos are the ones gaming here) [The] cases committed over the cyberspace are getting bigger, so this is just timely,” said Nartarez.

One of the arrested, Encar Cordova denied they are running a scam operation.

“Paying po talaga… Kumabaga pagcash-out, narereceive naman po. Maximum P100K daily. Di po namin alam na ganun po pala yung sistema, na licensed pala yung kailangan talaga,” Cordova said.

(We’re paying them… If they cash out, they get their money. The maximum is P100K daily. We didn’t know that that was the system, that we needed to get a license)

Aside from computers and gadgets, the NCRPO also seized undocumented cars believed being used by suspects.

They currently face charges of illegal gambling and violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News