Over 800 Filipino and foreign workers were rescued from a POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) hub in Tarlac suspected of being involved in the so-called “love scam.”

A love scam is when someone deceives another person into believing they are in a romantic relationship, usually with the intention of exploiting them financially or emotionally.

The operation was led by the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

Authorities raided the compound of a technology company where they apprehended individuals and seized evidence following reports of serious illegal detention and violence against a Vietnamese national who managed to escape and seek help.

Despite the company having documents from PAGCOR and the local government, authorities are still investigating its operational practices, particularly on allegations of serious illegal detention and human trafficking.

Other fraudulent activities such as love scams and cryptocurrency scams are also being probed.

"May mga quota quota sila dyan na kailangan meron at least ten na mabibiktima mo o hindi ka makapasok sa quota and then nananakit na sila para ikaw ay magtanda," Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz, Executive Director of PAOCC, said.

"We are looking [for an] underground tunnel, possibly may torture chamber dito," Jonathan Lledo, Chairman of the National Inter-Agency Task Force Against Trafficking, said,

Among those rescued are Filipinos, Chinese, Malaysians, and Vietnamese. 

Several suspects were arrested, and firearms were seized from some quarters. 

The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group is set to obtain warrants to confiscate and examine computers and other gadgets found within the premises for further investigation.