Philippines thought Pogos were gone. Corruption and AI still power them

AI Summary

A raid in Makati City led to the arrest of more than 120 Chinese nationals at a facility allegedly tied to illegal trading and a scam operation, highlighting the continued presence of offshore gaming activity despite a Philippine ban. The report points to embedded corruption and the use of AI as factors helping such operations persist.

Two years after the Philippines banned its notorious offshore gaming hubs, or Pogos, a recent crackdown on hundreds of foreigners has highlighted a worrying trend of embedded corruption that still enables the sector to thrive. In September, the National Bureau of Investigation raided a call centre-style facility in Makati City, arresting more than 120 Chinese nationals linked to an alleged illegal trading and a “lust scam” that tricked local and foreign victims into sharing explicit videos,...