17 Taiwanese arrested in “Pogo-like” operation

According to investigators, the suspects used pre-written scripts and emotional spiels to carry out romance scams that targeted fellow Taiwanese nationals as well as Malaysians and Chinese.

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"Makikita natin sa loob ng bahay napaka simple lang, walang activities sa labas. Nasa loob ng basement park ng bahay doon sila nag-ooperate," said NBI-STF Agent Ranier Dela Cruz, one of the lead operatives.

Atty. Van Angluben, Executive Officer of NBI-STF, said the group had been under surveillance since May 13, following intelligence from Taiwanese authorities and the Philippine Navy's Naval Intelligence and Security Group (NISG) indicating that high-profile fugitives had moved from Metro Manila to Cebu.

"This is the first case where we crack down on POGO operation, a scam hub operation involving purely Taiwanese nationals," said Angluben.

The operation was launched in response to a letter request from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), and was validated by the Naval Intelligence Group, prompting immediate action from the NBI-STF and its Cybercrime Division.