MANILA – There has been a significant drop in the number of text scams following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s order to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in the country.
According to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), the number of consumer complaints have dropped.
“Magmula po noong bi-nan ng Presidente (ang POGO), ang laki nang binagsak ng mga nare-receive nating text scams,” PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio said.
Casio added that thousands of SIM cards were seized during their recent POGO raids, including the raided facility in Las Piñas City.
PAOCC Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz, for his part, said the SIMs used in text scams and harassment such as online pautang or loans came from POGO hubs.
“Alam nila nagsasara na ‘yung mga POGO, ‘yun ang source nila ng mga pre-registered SIM cards,” Cruz said.
“Sila ‘yung mga may makina that registers the SIM na may fake identity. Pag binenta sa ‘yo registered na eh. Ang singilan dyan P500 isa na may fake identities,” he added.
Under Republic Act 11934 or the SIM Card Registration Act, the end user should register the number of their SIM card.
However, the provision of the law does not guarantee that the one registering the SIM is a real person, as pointed out by PAOCC./PN
