THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) yesterday said 86 foreigners, majority of whom are Chinese nationals, were recently arrested by authorities for their alleged involvement in the operation of a scam hub in Makati city that duped people through fake dating and online selling platforms.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthong Viado said the arrested foreigners comprised of 82 Chinese, three Malaysians, and one Vietnamese.
They were arrested in a raid conducted by the BI Fugitive Search Unit, the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the CIDG-National Capital Region Field Unit at a condominium along Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue in Barangay Pio del Pilar, Makati City, last April 10.
Viado said the operation was mounted after authorities got a distress message from a Chinese national via WhatsApp claiming he was being held against his will and was not allowed to leave the workplace.
Viado said a case build-up by the CIDG revealed that the syndicate used e-commerce and love scam tactics in their operation.
“Victims were reportedly lured through fake online orders or dating platforms, deceived into sending money, and never received goods or services in return,” he said.
He added that the raiding team caught the foreign nationals working at multiple computer stations, allegedly engaged in online scam operations.
Viado said the arrested foreigners failed to present documentation proving their legal residence or work status in the Philippines.
“This operation highlights the continuing threat posed by illegal aliens who exploit digital platforms to scam and defraud innocent victims across borders,” he said.
The arrested foreigners are now detained at the BI Warden’s Facility inside the Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig.
