BI intel arrests 31 foreign nationals in Makati scam hub raid

MAKATI CITY— As part of the government’s intensified campaign against transnational crimes and foreign syndicates, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced the arrest of 31 foreign nationals suspected of engaging in online scamming operations during a raid in Makati City.

The operation is aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to safeguard national security and protect the country from becoming a base of operations for international cybercrime syndicates. The President has repeatedly emphasized the importance of strong immigration enforcement in preserving the integrity of Philippine borders and ensuring public safety.

BI intelligence division chief Fortunato Manahan, Jr. reported that the raid took place Monday evening on the 11th floor of a commercial building along Ayala Avenue, where agents discovered dozens of foreigners manning computer workstations allegedly used for fraudulent activities targeting individuals abroad.

Of the 31 foreign nationals arrested, 24 were Chinese, two were Taiwanese, three were Malaysian, and two were from Myanmar. All were found without to be working in violation of the conditions of their stay, and have been tagged as undesirable.

The company’s office, in fact, even displayed the name of a popular insurance firm on its entrance in an attempt to hide its illegal operations in the building.

The suspects are now detained at the Bureau’s Warden Facility (BIWF) in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, pending investigation and deportation proceedings.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado emphasized that the arrests send a strong signal to criminal elements that the Philippines will not be used as a safe haven for foreign-led cybercrime.

“This operation reflects our firm commitment to President Marcos’s directive to secure our borders and uphold the rule of law,” said Viado. “Foreign nationals who exploit our systems, abuse our hospitality, and engage in illegal acts will be dealt with decisively.” #