POGO running investment scam shut down in Tarlac —police

Police on Thursday closed down a Tarlac-based Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) company that was allegedly secretly operating a cryptocurrency investment scam.

In a statement, Police Brigadier General Romeo Caramat, head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said 851 workers — 351 foreign nationals and 500 Filipinos — were arrested and rescued during the operation.

"Meron tayong mga na-rescue na mga empleyadong hindi pinapauwi at nade-deprive ng basic needs at liberty,” Caramat said.

(We rescued some employees who were prohibited from going home and deprived of basic needs and liberty.)

Authorities launched the operation at Sitio Pag-asa, Barangay Anupul, Bamban, Tarlac around 5 p.m. in light of a search warrant issued by Tarlac City  Regional Trial Court Branch 63.

Investigators are identifying, processing, and examining all computer data found in the seized pieces of evidence from the operation, Caramat said.

Criminal complaint for violation of the Securities Regulations Code of the Philippines in relation to Section 6 of Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and Human Trafficking are being prepared against the persons behind the alleged illegal operation, the CIDG said.

The police are also preparing to launch a manhunt operation against three more personalities involved in the alleged scam.

The operation was conducted amid growing calls to abolish the POGO industry due to its alleged links to crimes like kidnapping, illegal detention, prostitution, and money laundering.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. himself said POGOs might no longer be worth allowing if their conducts bring social cost to the country considering the crimes linked to them. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News