THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested a total of 14 foreign nationals in separate raids across three provinces and cities for their involvement in various illegal online activities, including unauthorized gaming operations and financial scams.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, NBI Director Melvin Matibag confirmed that those taken into custody include five South Koreans, six Vietnamese, two Chinese, and one Maldivian national. The operations highlight the bureau’s intensified campaign against criminal groups that have shifted their operations online, many of which originated from defunct Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs.
In the first case, the five Korean nationals were arrested in Angeles, Pampanga and Imus, Cavite over their operations involving the popular online game “Lineage Classics.” Investigators explained that the game’s accounts hold digital monetary value, which can be converted into cryptocurrency or Korean won, effectively turning them into assets used for profit. The suspects hired Filipino workers to manage and play the accounts for a fee, but authorities discovered that the workers were not properly registered with the Social Security System (SSS). This led to additional charges for violating labor and social security laws, aside from the cybercrime complaints filed against the operators.
The second operation took place in Makati City, where six Vietnamese nationals were caught running a fraudulent gaming website. Authorities noted that the platform was designed to appear legitimate to attract users, but participants were never able to withdraw their supposed winnings or earnings.
Meanwhile, in Parañaque City, two Chinese, one Maldivian, and 14 Filipino associates were arrested for running a sophisticated “love scam” scheme. Using fake social media profiles, they gained the trust and affection of victims before convincing them to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms. Once payments were made, the suspects hid their identities using VPNs and untraceable accounts, leaving victims with no returns.
Director Matibag emphasized that these operations are part of the government’s strict crackdown on groups that exploit cyberspace for illegal gain.
He noted that many of these syndicates are remnants of former POGO firms that reorganized into scam hubs after the industry was shut down. “We will continue to go after them and get rid of these financial scams,” Matibag stated, adding that the NBI will ensure all those arrested face the full weight of the law to protect the public from online fraud and exploitation.
