PHL govt urged to pursue gangs behind crypto scam

THE chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs on Tuesday called on Philippine authorities to investigate the criminal networks running cryptocurrency scams in Southeast Asia.

Kabayan Rep. Ron Salo, in a statement, condemned criminal networks for exploiting Filipinos in cryptocurrency scams.

“I strongly condemn the illegal trafficking of our fellow Filipinos allegedly being carried by a Chinese mafia operating in Southeast Asia,” Salo said.

“Taking advantage of the desperation of our kababayans looking for job opportunities is the peak of injustice and cruelty,” Salo added.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega recently stated that criminals, particularly the Chinese mafia, operating cryptocurrency scams in Southeast Asia are targeting Filipinos due to their English proficiency and computer skills. The Filipinos are then forced to trick individuals to invest in cryptocurrency.

A couple of Filipinos lured to work in what they thought would be decent establishments in Thailand but ended up in crypto scam camps in Myanmar and Cambodia have provided vital information to Senate probers earlier. The wife of one illegally trafficked victim claimed her husband and his coworkers faced threats of violence each time they fail to meet “quotas” in tricking unsuspecting investors.

“I am calling on the National Bureau of Investigation [NBI] to investigate and build the appropriate case against these unscrupulous individuals,” Salo said on Tuesday.

“I also urge the Inter-agency Council Against Trafficking [IACAT] to strengthen their monitoring and implementation of the Anti-trafficking in Persons Act of 2003,” Salo added.

Salo implored all relevant government agencies to increase the protection and awareness against human trafficking and cryptocurrency scams.

“We must continue to educate our fellow Filipinos against these illegal activities so we can minimize the victims of these criminal syndicates. We need to remind everyone that when the offer is too good to be true, then it must be a red flag,” he said.

“They cannot risk their lives for a promised financially rewarding job. And when the work is abroad, they have to go through established legal processes as these are designed for our people’s protection,” Salo added.