Makati Raid: Fake Insurance, Real Fraud, 31 Foreign POGO Workers Arrested

The Philippine Bureau of Immigration recently raided an old securities building on Ayala Avenue in Makati, uncovering a disguised "insurance company" that was actually an illegal offshore gaming (POGO) den, and arrested 31 foreign nationals involved.

According to immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval, the office displayed logos of well-known insurance brands to deliberately create the image of a legitimate business to evade law enforcement scrutiny. "They blended into the foreign community, hiding in the core business district of Makati for a long time, using disguises to confuse," Sandoval said.

This is the third time this year that the immigration bureau has discovered such disguised fraud strongholds in the area. Preliminary investigations show that the organization is involved in illegal gambling and fraud activities, and the individuals involved have been found to violate immigration and residency regulations, and are currently undergoing deportation procedures.

Despite President Marcos Jr.'s explicit ban on the continued operation of POGOs in the Philippines, criminals continue to change their disguises and lurk in urban areas. The immigration bureau stated that it will continue to work with multiple departments to intensify raids, "No matter how they hide, we will find them and deport them according to the law."