Three Chinese men were arrested in an apartment in Pasay City after being reported by a former employee for working from home.

Recently, a sudden law enforcement operation took place in an apartment in Pasay City, where three Chinese nationals were arrested by the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for alleged illegal detention and online fraud. The operation was initiated by a former employee who exposed a small-scale illegal gambling and scam operation hidden behind the facade of a residential building.

According to the NBI investigation, the victims were initially recruited under the guise of legitimate employment. Upon arrival, however, they were illegally detained and forced to engage in fake stock investment scams to repay a so-called "settlement fee" of up to 300,000 pesos. Law enforcement officials noted that although no physical violence occurred, the restriction of personal freedom through debt threats and forced labor constituted illegal detention.

The three suspects apprehended at the scene admitted to engaging in POGO online gambling business but denied restricting others' freedom. Nevertheless, the NBI has formally charged them with illegal detention and violation of the Anti-Financial Account Fraud Act.

The success of this operation was partly due to a former victim who came forward and provided crucial information to law enforcement. The NBI stated that it would continue to intensify efforts to track down and eradicate criminal organizations that exploit foreigners for transnational scam activities and called for more victims to bravely report such incidents.