Eight undocumented foreigners are currently detained at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) Detention Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City and are set to be deported back to their respective countries as soon as possible.

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(Image of Bureau of Immigration)

The foreigners, who were arrested in three separate streets in an exclusive subdivision in Alabang, Muntinlupa City on October 22, 2024, were found to be involved in online scams.

The detainees comprise seven Chinese nationals and one Vietnamese. Two of these individuals have overstayed in the country, and one is suspected of illegal entry into the Philippines.

According to Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado, they obtained information that following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s order to shut down Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) in the country, these illegal foreigners have been setting up small scamming hubs.

The BI is now coordinating with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other law enforcement agencies to ensure the arrest and deportation of these foreign syndicate members.