PH authorities rescue over 1,000 ‘scam call center’ victims
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-cybercrime Group rescued 1,090 people held captive and forced to run online scams in fake call centers.
According to PNP Spokesperson Michelle Sabino, the victims were primarily Chinese nationals, Vietnamese, Filipinos, and Indonesians.
Authorities also rescued people from Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Myanmar, Hong Kong, and Nepal.
Sabino said the workers were trained to entice strangers into buying cryptocurrency or depositing money into bogus bank accounts after establishing fake romantic relationships.
Their passports were also confiscated, and they were made to work up to 18 hours daily, with salary deductions for interacting with colleagues or taking extended breaks.
“You’re like a prisoner without a cell. You’re not even allowed to talk to your roommates,” Sabino stated, noting that the rescued victims were not even allowed to go outside of where they were staying.
The PNP arrested at least 12 suspected ringleaders on charges of human trafficking. They include seven Chinese nationals, four Indonesians, and a Malaysian.
Sabino added that the police operations resulted from a plea by the Indonesian ambassador in Manila for help locating distressed nationals.
