Online scams are rampant across the world. One of the most hit industries is the online gaming industry. But recently, some countries have been taking a firm hand to managing perpetrators of illegal online gaming and scams. 

The Philippines has been one of those countries. Recently, they have carried out two raids through a collaboration between law enforcement and PAGCOR (Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corporation). 

The two raids were focused on two cities, Laguna and Paranaque. A total of 10 Chinese nationals and 26 Filipinos were apprehended during the two raids.

How it happened

First raid - Binan, Laguna

The first raid took place in Binan, Laguna. The targets of the raid were scammers who ran a successful scammer page on Facebook called Lucky Dreams 2. The page had accumulated 111,000 followers who were enticed with live raffle games.

The raffle games promised an award of second hand modified motorcycles. 

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco, said: “We have been receiving reports of illegal online activities including those in social media platforms. As the country’s gaming regulator, it is our duty to protect the public – especially the youth – from these illegal online gambling sites.”

The raid took place during the 50th raffle event where the perpetrators were caught red handed during the livestream. The apprehension led to the arrest of 16 individuals charged with illegal online raffles on Facebook. 

Second Raid-Paranaque

The next operation was coordinated by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group - National Capital Region and PAGCOR. The apprehension led to the confiscation of electronic devices, credit cards, vehicles and Chinese government documents. 

Besides arresting 10 Chinese nationals suspected of various scams, 9 Filipino workers were rescued,

PAGCOR has been active before these raids. In fact, last month, PAGCOR delivered 81.6m worth of cash dividends to the State Treasury. The cash dividends are proportional to 75% of PAGCOR's net earnings of PAGCOR in 2023. 

About PAGCOR

The organisation is 100% owned and controlled by the state under the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines. It has a three pronged mandate:

1. Regulate, operate, authorise and licence games of chance, games of cards and games of numbers, particularly casino gaming in the Philippines;

2. Generate revenues for the Philippine government's socio-civic and national development programs; and

3. Help promote the Philippine tourism industry.

It runs 9 casino branches and 34 satellite casinos. The branches and satellite casinos are categorised under Metro Manila, Luzon and Visaya & Mindanao.