Philippines thought Pogos were gone. Corruption and AI still power them

In September, the National Bureau of Investigation raided a call centre-style facility in Makati City, arresting more than 120 Chinese nationals linked to an alleged illegal trading and a “lust scam” that tricked local and foreign victims into sharing explicit videos, which were later used to blackmail them.

The enforcement blitz continued this month as police swooped down on twin scam hubs in the southern province of Zamboanga Sibugay.

About 244 foreigners, mostly Chinese citizens along with two Cambodians, were arrested in the operation dubbed the “largest Pogo bust”. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said the suspects were housed at one of the raided properties while undergoing identity verification before deportation.