In a significant move against cybercrime, Philippine authorities arrested around 100 suspects in a raid on an online scam farm in Manila on January 31, 2025. The operation, led by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), targeted Wewill Tech Corp, a company suspected of being linked to banned online gaming operators.
The suspects allegedly extorted victims by offering collateral-free loans via social media platforms such as TikTok. These loans, which could be as high as 25,000 pesos ($428), came with exorbitant weekly interest rates of 35%. When victims failed to repay their debts, they faced severe harassment and threats. According to PAOCC Director Gilberto Cruz, the scammers threatened to share personal information and family photographs of the victims, leading to instances of mental health issues, including depression and even suicide.
The raid, which took place in the Makati financial district, saw agents armed with assault rifles surrounding two offices of the lending agency. The suspects, many of whom were young Filipinos, were arrested as they worked side-by-side at computers. The authorities are investigating the nationality of the owners of Wewill Tech Corp, with suspicions that they may be remnants of online gaming operators banned under orders of President Ferdinand Marcos last year.
This operation is part of a broader crackdown on Southeast Asian cybercrime, which the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has tagged as “ground zero” for global scamming operations. The suspects could face fraud charges and other violations under the country’s cybercrime laws.
The raid highlights the growing issue of cybercrime in the Philippines and the need for continued vigilance and enforcement to protect citizens from such scams.
