Philippine authorities arrested approximately 100 individuals on January 31, 2025, during a significant raid on a suspected online scam farm located in the Makati financial district of Manila. This operation was part of a broader crackdown against online crime operators that often disguise themselves as legitimate gaming firms.
The raid, executed by the Presidential Anti-Organised Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), aimed to dismantle a network engaging in fraudulent lending practices. Scammers were reportedly charging an exorbitant interest rate of 35 percent weekly on loans, luring victims through platforms such as TikTok and other social media. The loans offered were collateral-free, with amounts reaching up to 25,000 pesos (approximately US$428).
Victims of the scam faced severe repercussions for falling behind on payments. Many reported harassment and humiliation, with threats made regarding the dissemination of their personal information online. Gilberto Cruz, a local authority, noted the alarming psychological toll on victims.
"Some of those they harassed developed mental problems, others fell into depression, and there have even been some suicide incidents that occurred because of the harassment perpetrated by these people," – Gilberto Cruz
The suspects operated under the name Wewill Tech Corp and required victims to provide sensitive personal data and family photographs, which were later used as leverage for intimidation. The scammers primarily communicated with victims in Filipino, with most of the keyboard workers being locals, indicating a deeply rooted issue within the community.
The operation revealed that the owners of Wewill Tech Corp are suspected to be remnants of previously banned online gaming operators who had been targeted under orders from President Ferdinand Marcos last year. Authorities are currently investigating the nationality of the company's owners, as past operations have seen Chinese suspects implicated in similar scams.
"What is frightening here is it is Filipinos who are harassing and defrauding their fellow Filipinos," Cruz added, emphasizing the troubling nature of these crimes within the local context.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has identified Southeast Asia as "ground zero" for global scamming operations, underscoring the urgency for regional authorities to combat this growing threat.
During the raid, PAOCC and NBI agents were armed with assault rifles, reflecting the seriousness with which Philippine authorities are addressing these online criminal enterprises. The operation signifies a robust commitment to protecting citizens from financial exploitation and psychological harm caused by these illicit activities.
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