Immigration nabs 19 foreigners caught operating ‘illegal’ call center

Immigration operatives have arrested and set for deportation 19 foreigners allegedly caught operating an illegal call center at Posadas Village in Muntinlupa City.

Sixteen of those arrested on Thursday were Thais who are allegedly part of a large-scale criminal syndicate that has fraudulently amassed millions of Thai baht from unsuspecting Thais in the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration said in a statement Friday.

The other three people arrested in coordination with the Royal Thai Police were Taiwanese; their leader, known through alias Wu Chang Long, is allegedly wanted for drug trafficking, said the statement, citing reports from Taiwanese authorities.

A report from BI Fugitive Search Unit chief Bobby Raquepo said the supposed syndicate initially operated in Cambodia and Malaysia before expanding to the Philippines.

The Thai government has already revoked their arrested citizens' passports, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said in the release.  

“Let this serve as a warning to other foreign nationals who plan on conducting their illegalities in the Philippines,” Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said in the statement.

“We will not allow foreign criminals to use our country as their venue for their illegal activities,” he said.

The apprehended individuals will undergo inquest proceedings and will be detained at the BI Detention Facility in Taguig City pending their deportation. — Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/RSJ, GMA News