Authorities in the Philippines claim to have rescued individuals who were allegedly recruited to work in a contact centre in Cambodia and defraud consumers of their cryptocurrency. The investigators are also looking into any federal personnel who may have helped groups that deal in cryptocurrency.
Alleged “Crypto Trafficking Ring” Victims SavedThe travel control and enforcement unit (TCEU) of the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) stated on Friday that it had freed six suspected victims of a “cryptocurrency trafficking ring,” according to a Philippine government-owned news outlet.
The accused victims were stopped by BI officials on January 15 as they were preparing to board a flight to Phnom Penh, according to Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Norman Garcera Tansingco.
The commissioner noted that these travellers had bogus return tickets and claimed that when questioned by BI officials, they provided “inconsistent responses,” which “generated suspicions that they were just masquerading as tourists but their intention is to work overseas.”
Acting TCEU chief Ann Camille Mina stated:
They eventually acknowledged that they were hired via Facebook and will be working in a call centre in Cambodia.
Investigators look at government officialsTansingco promised to take legal action against any BI personnel connected to criminal crypto trafficking organisations. He mentioned that the immigration officer who gave the passengers clearance to travel has been placed on administrative leave while an inquiry is ongoing. According to the commissioner, “We also wish to assist in finding and apprehending the illegal recruiters who tempt workers to participate in their nefarious plan. They are the cause of this social issue, and they must be detained for this crime as well.”
According to BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval, the Bureau of Immigration is now looking into at least three potential suspects in the case. When asked if the syndicates involved in human trafficking in Cambodia and Myanmar were connected to this case of crypto trafficking, she acknowledged: “That’s what bothers us. It appears to be connected.
Crypto crime gangs have been enlisting unknowing victims to work in call centres, especially in Asian nations, and scamming people on dating apps and social media. “Pig butchering” is one of the most frequent jobs performed by victims of trafficking.
Millions of dollars have been stolen from people in America and other countries by tens of thousands of people from Asia who were forced to commit the fraud. Those who refuse risk being beaten, going without food, or even worse.
Authorities in the United States have frequently warned that the pig-butchering cryptocurrency fraud is surging in popularity. The American Department of Justice (DOJ) seized seven domain names related to pig slaughtering scams in November of last year. “Be very cautious when someone establishes a relationship with you on social media or dating apps and wants you to start investing… Don’t get butchered, an FBI representative pleaded.
