The Philippine Bureau of Immigration conducted a surprise inspection in an old stock exchange building in Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City, and discovered a POGO den disguised as an insurance company, arresting 31 foreign nationals.
Disguised as an Insurance Company, Hidden in a Well-known Commercial Office Building
Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval stated that law enforcement officers found the suspects in an office disguised as an insurance company located in a well-known building in the central business district.
She said, "What's more surprising is that the entrance of the office even had a sign of a well-known insurance company, obviously to create a false impression of legitimacy." This is the third time the Bureau of Immigration has dismantled similar scam dens in the central business district. Sandoval pointed out that the suspects deliberately blended into the foreign community, disguising themselves as ordinary foreign residents to avoid detection and complicate the verification of their identities.
Despite President Marcos Jr.'s explicit ban on offshore gaming operations (POGO), some foreign nationals continue to engage in illegal scam activities. Sandoval stated, "Some pose as legitimate companies or hide in concealed locations to conduct scams, but we and our partners will continue to target and apprehend them."
The Bureau of Immigration reported that the 31 foreign nationals involved have been identified as violating residency regulations and are facing deportation proceedings, but did not disclose their nationalities.
