The Philippines’ government warns over illegal POGOs

The Philippines’ government has issued a warning about illegal POGOs operating in the country after a Taiwanese worker was hired and kept as a slave worker.

The Philippines.- The Department of Labor and Employment has issued a warning over illegal POGO operations in the country after a Taiwanese worker claimed he was hired by a Chinese online gambling company and then kept as a slave worker until he was rescued by police.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has also reported that certain Chinese companies were operating in the country as POGO without a licence.

POGOs are online gambling companies that operate in the Philippines but offer their services to customers outside of the country.

According to the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group, illegal POGOs recruit staff through social media accounts, advertising fake positions.

Silvestre Bello III, labour secretary, said illegal POGOs usually promise attractive salaries and warned people to be cautious.

In March, the government called POGOs to register for an electronic reporting system following an amendment to the Philippines’ Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001.