Illegal offshore gambling raid in Cebu: over 200 foreign workers nabbed

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Visayas (CIDG-7) captured over 200 foreign workers during their raid in illegal offshore gambling operation in Cebu.

The establishment allegedly housed offshore online gambling company in Barangay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City.

The alien workers were Koreans, Thai and Chinese nationals according to CIDG deputy chief Hector Amancia. They introduced themselves to be employees of Xin Huang Jin Cheng, a company disguised as Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) but allegedly an illegal offshore gambling establishment.

Amancia said that the company has been under their surveillance under surveillance for about a year after CIDG-7 office received the intel report on the company’s illegal operation.

Illegal offshore gambling company has a permit for BPO operations

After the raid, the company showed its license to operate. However, the police said that the permit was for a BPO company, meaning they are not allowed to operate as an offshore online gambling company.

Amancia said “Naa silay permit including accreditation from Pagcor (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) but the issue is not authorizing them to operate sa gambling it was more on as a service provider.”

CIDG continues to investigate if the foreign workers have proper documents and permit to stay and work in the Philippines.

Amancia said that the arrested individuals would face Presidential Decree 1602 (illegal gambling) and Republic Act 10175 (cybercrime) violation charges.

Lapu-lap city Mayor Junard Chan also said that they would check the documents the company submitted to city government.

“We will see if their income are the same with the ones they have submitted in the treasure’s office,” Mayor Chan said.

Also read:Duterte says Philippines needs offshore gamin operations