MANILA, Philippines — Authorities arrested three foreigners in Pampanga for their suspected involvement in online scamming and money laundering, as part of the government’s intensified crackdown on transnational crimes.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado on Thursday said the suspects, identified as Chinese, were nabbed during a late-night enforcement operation in a residential property at Pulu Amsic subdivision in Angeles City.
Agents from the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU), working closely with the National Bureau of Investigation–Organized and Transnational Crimes Division (NBI-OTCD), carried out the raid.
Arrested were Zhang Zheng, 42; Ren Yi, 28; and Zhang Shengjun, 31, who were reportedly caught in flagrante while operating computer equipment allegedly used in fraudulent online schemes targeting foreign victims.
Investigators said the trio was believed to be part of so-called “breakaway” scam hubs—groups composed of former Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) workers who have resumed illegal operations outside regulated facilities.
These groups are known to relocate to residential areas to avoid detection, making enforcement more challenging for authorities.