2 Raids Net 10 Chinese, 26 Pinoys For Illegal Games, Online Scams

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has announced that 10 Chinese nationals and 26 Filipinos have been apprehended in two separate operations targeting illegal gaming operations and online scams in Laguna and Parañaque City.

In the Parañaque raid, authorities arrested seven male and three female Chinese nationals suspected to have been involved in scamming activities such as love and cryptocurrency scams. I Photos: PAGCOR

The first operation, conducted in Biñan, Laguna on May 1, led to the arrest of 16 individuals who were found operating an illegal online raffle on Facebook.

The operation was carried out by the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) and the PAGCOR security group. The suspects, associated with the Facebook Page "Lucky Dream 4," were apprehended while conducting their 50th raffle event.

In a subsequent operation, another group of suspects, including 10 Chinese nationals, was apprehended by joint elements of the CIDG-NCR and PAGCOR inside a residence in Multinational Village, Parañaque.

They were arrested for violating various laws, including the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, Alien Registration Act, and Cybercrime Prevention Act.

Alejandro H. Tengco, Chairman and CEO of PAGCOR, emphasized that these arrests are part of the agency's intensified campaign against illegal online gambling and other illicit activities.

He reiterated PAGCOR's commitment to protecting the public, especially the youth, from such illegal online gambling sites.

Raul Villanueva, PAGCOR Senior Vice President for the Security Cluster, revealed that the Lucky Dream 4 group, boasting 111,000 followers on Facebook, was conducting live online raffles offering second-hand modified motorcycles as prizes.

He noted that the group was able to amass over PHP8 million from their illegal online operations.

Furthermore, in the Parañaque raid, authorities arrested seven male and three female Chinese nationals suspected to have been involved in scamming activities such as love and cryptocurrency scams.

The raid also resulted in the rescue of nine Filipino female workers and the arrest of one Filipino male for possession of an undocumented firearm.

The authorities seized numerous items during the raids, including mobile phones, desktop computers, laptops, credit cards, vehicles, motorcycles, and assorted Chinese government documents.

The discoveries included two vaults located in the house within an exclusive subdivision.

Villanueva concluded by emphasizing that the Lucky Dream 4 group was clearly engaged in illegal online gaming activities and urged them to secure a license from PAGCOR if they wished to operate legally.