100 suspects arrested in online scam farm raid in Philippines

The raid in the Makati financial district was part of a crackdown against online crime operators that often act under the guise of gaming firms.

Monday, February 03, 2025 17:16

Hanoi (VNA) – Philippine authorities have arrested around 100 people in a raid on a suspected online scam farm in Manila.

The raid in the Makati financial district was part of a crackdown against online crime operators that often act under the guise of gaming firms.

Agents from the Presidential Anti-Organised Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the National Bureau of Investigation, armed with assault rifles, surrounded two offices of Wewill Tech Corp - a lending agency and arrested the suspects as they worked side-by-side at computers.

The suspects, many of whom are young Filipinos, allegedly sought out victims via TikTok and other social media, offering collateral-free loans of up to 25,000 PHP (428 USD).

PAOCC Director Gilberto Cruz said that borrowers were charged 35% weekly interest and those who fell behind on payments were harassed, humiliated and threatened with having their personal information spread online.

Wewill Tech Corp., required victims to provide personal information and family photographs, which the scammers then used for threats.

According to the PAOCC, some victims of similar scams have reported having coffins and funeral wreaths delivered to their homes. Some of the harassed victims got mental problems, fell into depression, or event got suicide.

Authorities are checking the nationality of the owners of the Wewill Tech Corp.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has tagged Southeast Asia as ground zero of global scamming operations./.

VNA

#Philippines #online scam farm #Presidential Anti-Organised Crime Commission #United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Philippines

See more

People buy food at a market in Narathiwat province of Thailand. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Thailand’s 2025 economic growth target at risk of slowing

03/02/2025 19:32

Thailand's inflation is expected to reach 1.1% this year, aligning with the Bank of Thailand (BOT)’s target range of 1-3%.

IMF ranks Indonesia 8th in the world for GDP in 2024

03/02/2025 19:29

Indonesia surpasses both France and the UK, with the IMF reporting their GDPs at 4.36 trillion USD and 4.28 trillion USD, respectively.

The article on Global Times by Lei Xiaohua, Deputy Director of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies under the Guangxi Academy of Social Sciences. (Photo: VNA)

Chinese scholar proposes measures to boost substantive Vietnam - China ties

03/02/2025 18:41

In the context of complex regional and international developments, Vietnam and China need to persist in maintaining the stable development of relations between the two Parties and two countries, while also enhancing multilateral coordination, said a leader of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies under the Guangxi Academy of Social Sciences.

Thailand prevents foreigners’ illegal border crossing

03/02/2025 17:10

The meeting also discussed efforts to crack down on call-centre scam operations, which are not only prevalent in Thailand’s neighbouring countries but are a global issue.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof at the launch of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on February 2, 2025. (Photo: Bernama)

Malaysia streamlines border control and protection forces

03/02/2025 16:38

Malaysia has officially launched the Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency (AKBS), which will serve as the sole agency responsible for border control.

Cambodia arrests over 1,300 drug suspects

03/02/2025 16:21

Cambodian authorities arrested 1,311 drug suspects involved in 539 cases in January.

Indonesia sets up special team for child protection in cyberspace

03/02/2025 16:16

A special team of Indonesia tasked with monitoring restrictions, including regulations related to child protection in the digital space, became operational on February 3.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra launches the ‘Seal Stop Safe’ anti-drug operation at the Government House in Bangkok. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

Thailand launches anti-drug operation in border areas

03/02/2025 10:09

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has officially launched the anti-drug operation Seal Stop Safe to combat drug trafficking in 51 border districts across 14 provinces.

Illustrative photo (Photo: southeastasiainfra.com)

Indonesia plans to build 4.3 GW nuclear power plants

02/02/2025 19:02

Indonesia aims to build nuclear power plants for cleaner energy, Presidential Special Envoy for Climate and Energy Hashim Djojohadikusumo said at a recent energy forum.

Thailand's former PM Thaksin Shinawatra greets supporters while campaigning in Bueng Kan province on Jan 19. (Photo: Pheu Thai Party)

Thailand: Ruling Pheu Thai wins most provincial elections

02/02/2025 18:56

Pheu Thai Party, which leads a ruling coalition in Thailand, won presidential seats in 18 provincial administrative organisations (PAO) in the provincial elections that took place in 47 out of 77 Thai provinces on February 2.

Thailand is increasingly seen as a favourite destination for international tourists during the Lunar New Year. (Photo: VNA)

Thailand – favourite destination for Lunar New Year celebration: Agoda

02/02/2025 18:33

Although the Lunar New Year (Tet) is not a public holiday in Thailand, the Southeast Asian country is increasingly seen as a favourite destination for international tourists, including those from countries that consider Tet the most important holiday of the year.