The Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) recently revealed that during an investigation at a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) scam site in Barangay Caloocan City, three Vietnamese women came forward to testify, exposing how the site used the identity of "models" to lure victims into investing in cryptocurrencies.
PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz stated that the site was involved not only in investment fraud but also used dating scams to target victims. He noted, "These Vietnamese women were employed as 'models' specifically to attract victims. Once the victims developed a liking for them, they would persuade them to invest in virtual currencies, ultimately leading to the victims being defrauded."
The operation took place on February 20, when law enforcement raided the scam site located opposite the Barangay Caloocan City bus hub station in the ATI Building, arresting over 400 Filipino and foreign nationals.
Cruz further revealed, "We have interrogated the foreign operators of the site and filed lawsuits against 20 of them. Additionally, the three Vietnamese witnesses provided crucial testimonies that helped investigate the gang's fraudulent tactics."
The case has now been handed over to the relevant law enforcement agencies for further processing, and the suspects will face legal sanctions. Law enforcement agencies urge the public to remain vigilant to avoid falling into similar scams and encourage victims to actively report illegal activities to authorities to help combat telecommunications fraud.
