DOJ observes fewer text scams after POGO ban

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has noticed a decrease in scamming incidents after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. announced the total ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

"We noticed that there was a decrease in the level of ah, scamming incidents in respect to messages that were sent via text or even calls. And, perhaps, the correlation could be more than coincidental," DOJ Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said during the Senate finance committee hearing on the proposed P40.585 billion budget of the department and its attached agencies for 2025.

Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the panel, said she saw a "marked difference" in the decrease of text scams after the ban on POGOs.

"I'd say 90 plus percent [ang decrease]. So, ngayon, kung dati, mga tatlo natatanggap ko, apat sa isang araw, ngayon, maybe once or twice a week. And, iba ang wording ha, iba ang wording. Parang mas maayos ngayon, formal. Eh, ngayon, parang, 'May I request for your, a copy of your bank statement?' I'm like, 'Ha? Okay.' So, iba. Iba ang tono," Poe remarked.

The DOJ, however, did not provide data to support their observation on lesser scamming incidents after the POGO ban announcement.

Last August 9, the Philippine National Police - Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) data showed that the number of text scams has decreased after Marcos banned the operations of POGOs in the country.

In July, only two text scams were reported to the PNP-ACG.

This was lower compared to the 13 text scams reported in June, 20 in May, and seven in March.

Last year, the PNP-ACG data showed 22 text scams were reported in January, nine in February, 24 in March, 21 in April, and 17 in May.

The PNP-ACG noted that the data only includes text scams that were reported to their office and does not include reports from cybercrime desks at police stations.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) also said there has been a significant drop in the number of text scams after the POGO ban.

In a privilege speech last August 5, Poe also manifested her observation that text scams have decreased after the announcement of the president.

Marcos banned all POGOs in the country after a series of raids against these establishments where authorities discovered equipment used for torture, love scams, and other crimes.

In his third State of the Nation Address in July, Marcos pointed out that POGOs became involved in scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, and murder.—LDF, GMA Integrated News