As the Philippine government’s crackdown on POGOs intensifies, operators are shifting to other illegal activities, such as love scams.
As the name suggests, in these type of scams, popular online dating apps are used to trick victims into thinking they were involved in authentic romantic relationships before convincing them to invest. These individuals were enticed by fake female identities on dating platforms.
Recently, authorities have disclosed that over 5,000 Australians were targeted by a POGO involved in these criminal operations. The scheme, which was raided in October 2024, became the focal point of a joint investigation conducted by both Philippine and Australian law enforcement agencies.
A collaborative statement by the Australian Federal Police, the National Anti-Scam Centre, the Philippine Anti-Organised Crime Commission, and the National Bureau of Investigation shed light on the scam.
As per the investigation, the majority of victims were Australian men aged over 50, who were lured into sending initial amounts between AUD300 (180) and AUD500 (300), under the pretext of investment opportunities.
The official statement highlighted that scammers used popular online dating apps to trick victims into thinking they were involved in authentic romantic relationships before convincing them to invest. These individuals were enticed by fake female identities on dating platforms.
Authorities highlighted the scale of the operation, warning that victims had been contacted directly by the National Anti-Scam Centre, which informed them they had been targeted by scammers based in the Philippines.
More foreigners arrested in Cavite
Meanwhile, another raid in Silang, Cavite, led to the arrest of 29 foreigners, including the alleged Chinese ringleader, operating an illicit POGO within a resort. Authorities have expressed concerns that the crackdown may drive these operations underground, leading to more sophisticated and harder-to-detect scams.
The Philippine government has escalated its efforts to dismantle illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) following a surge in associated criminal activities.
In November 2024, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order 74, mandating the cessation of all POGO operations by the end of the year. This directive was driven by concerns over crimes linked to these entities, including human trafficking, kidnapping, and financial fraud.
Despite the ban, recent enforcement actions indicate that some POGOs continue to operate clandestinely. In January 2025, immigration agents apprehended 32 foreign nationalscomprising 20 Chinese, 11 Malaysians, and one Cambodianin Para?aque City.
New face of POGO scamsters
The persistence of these illegal activities continues to challenge Philippine authorities in eradicating POGO-related crimes. Though, the government remains committed to intensifying its crackdown, aiming to dismantle remaining operations and prevent the emergence of underground networks.
This ongoing effort highlights the complexities involved in combating transnational cybercrime and protecting potential victims from sophisticated scams.
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