China gets list of workers in Philippine online gaming operations

February 23, 2020

China on Sunday said it has obtained a list of Chinese nationals working for online gaming operations in the Philippines to crack down on gambling and fraud entities in the country.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila made the announcement amid reports China has canceled passports of its nationals working for offshore online casinos and fraudulent operations in the country. 

"In order to crack down on cross-border telecommunication fraud crimes, the Ministry of Public Security of China has obtained a list of Chinese nationals suspected of committing long-term telecommunication fraud crimes abroad, who are classified as the persons prohibited from exiting China according to the Exit-Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China," a Chinese Embassy statement said.

"Such operations are aimed at the suspects of Chinese nationals who have committed telecommunications fraud crimes in different countries," it added.

It did not say if it has canceled the passports of suspected Chinese online gaming and telecommunications fraud workers on its list.

Since 2016, a large number of Chinese citizens have been hired for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations or POGO.

In most cases, Chinese online gambling operators in the Philippines do not apply necessary legal work permits for their Chinese employees or allegedly pay bribes to Philippine immigration officers, as a Senate hearing revealed this week.

"The Chinese government always requires Chinese citizens overseas to abide by local laws and regulations and not to work illegally in foreign countries," the embassy said.

"The Chinese embassy in the Philippines has repeatedly issued consular reminders and has been keeping close communications with the Philippine government in this regard. The relevant departments of both countries also conducted a series of law enforcement cooperation," the embassy said. DMS