Philippine Online Gambling Operation Shut Down

The arrest of four Koreans and three Filipino women in the Ermita, Manila area of the Philippines in what the police are calling an international 'illegal' gambling operation has left the local police still looking for more suspects. The authorities stated that the bets were being accepted in South Korea over an internet connection that involved streaming card action dealt by the Filipino women. Bank-to-bank transfers were used for deposits and payouts. Two gambling tables, eight LCD computer monitors, four computers, three video cameras, and two telephones were seized during the crackdown reported, said, Special Task Group Maverick, Chief Insp. Manuel Cube.

The Inquirer reported from a police blotter that, “The raiding team found out that the illegal gambling game was done online from the Philippines to Korea where bettors are betting through bank-to-bank. The result of the games can be seen through computer monitors. The winners claim their winnings through bank-to-bank also,” The late night raid was conducted with a search warrant after a police stakeout of the Pearl of the Orient Tower where the alleged illegal gambling operators were reported to be either staying or leasing luxury residential units. A police officer who was a spokesperson on the case said the operation was suspected of being part of a money-laundering scheme based in South Korea. Police are still on the hunt for four other possible suspects who fled the scene. Police said they received information that Choy the alleged kingpin of the operation arrived in the country a few months ago to set up the illegal gambling den together with the arrested suspects who are computer professionals.

Rumours abound suggesting another local law enforcement agency has been protecting the illegal gambling operation and is now working on the bail and release of the suspects who are facing inquest proceedings for a possible violation of Presidential Decree 1602 for the illegal operation of a gambling den.