17 Taiwanese Nationals Arrested in Cebu City Over POGO-Linked Romance Scam Operation

At least 17 Taiwanese nationals, including a woman, were arrested in a high-end subdivision in Cebu City for their alleged involvement in a massive POGO-linked cybercrime operation, authorities confirmed.

The raid was conducted on May 14, 2025, by operatives from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Special Task Force and Cybercrime Division, in coordination with Taiwanese authorities. Six of the suspects are reportedly on Taiwan’s list of “Most Wanted” individuals due to their ties to a highly organized crime group.

Inside the residence, investigators discovered several rooms occupied by foreign-looking men operating computers and other digital equipment allegedly used in a large-scale romance scam targeting Taiwanese victims. The NBI revealed that the scam has defrauded victims of more than half a billion dollars.

Authorities believe the suspects are part of a POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) hub that originally operated in Luzon but later transferred its base to Cebu, possibly in collaboration with local contacts.

On May 15, 2025, the suspects were officially charged with:

• Computer-related forgery under the Cybercrime Prevention Act (RA 10175)

• Economic sabotage

• Social engineering and financial scams under the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (RA 12010)

The 17 suspects are currently detained at the NBI Central Visayas Regional Office. According to NBI officials, they will soon be transferred to NBI headquarters in Manila for deportation proceedings.

Taiwanese police attaché Matt Shen confirmed the identities of the arrested individuals, emphasizing the significance of the joint operation in dismantling transnational cybercriminal networks.

The NBI is also expanding its probe into the group’s local accomplices, as POGO-linked cybercrime operations persist across the country despite intensified crackdowns.