In a significant operation against cybercrime, Philippine authorities, supported by special forces, conducted a large-scale raid on Tuesday, rescuing over 2,700 individuals from various countries. The workers, hailing from China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, and more than a dozen other nations, were reportedly deceived into working for fraudulent online gaming platforms and other cybercrime operations.

The operation, targeting seven buildings in Las Pinas City, metropolitan Manila, marks the largest human trafficking rescue mission of the year. The sheer number of victims underscores the Philippines' emergence as a major hub for cybercriminal activities.

Cybercrime scams have become a pervasive problem across Asia, with individuals both within and outside the region being lured by false promises of employment in countries like Myanmar and Cambodia. Upon arrival, these workers often find themselves trapped in exploitative conditions, forced to participate in online scams.

Brig. Gen. Sydney Hernia, head of the Philippine National Police’s anti-cybercrime unit, reported that the midnight raid resulted in the rescue of 1,534 Filipinos and 1,190 foreign nationals. The foreign workers represented at least 17 countries, including 604 Chinese, 183 Vietnamese, 137 Indonesians, 134 Malaysians, and 81 Thais. Individuals from Myanmar, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Nigeria, and Taiwan were also among those rescued. The number of syndicate leaders apprehended remains unclear.

This incident follows a similar raid in May at the Clark freeport in Mabalacat city, Pampanga province, where nearly 1,400 Filipino and foreign workers were rescued from alleged cryptocurrency scams. Reports indicate that workers attempting to leave their positions were forced to pay exorbitant fees or faced the threat of being sold to other syndicates. They were also subject to penalties for minor workplace infractions. These workers were initially attracted by promises of high salaries and favorable working conditions advertised on Facebook, which later proved to be deceptive.

Indonesian Minister Muhammad Mahfud, responsible for political, legal, and security affairs, highlighted the challenges of collaborating with Myanmar on cybercrime issues. He emphasized the need for ASEAN to finalize a proposed regional extradition treaty to facilitate the prosecution of offenders and curb the escalating cybercrime threat.