BI uncovers trafficking of Filipinos to Pakistan for online gaming jobs

MANILA, Philippines —Filipinos are now being recruited and trafficked to work illegally in online gaming hubs in Pakistan, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) warned Monday, calling it an alarming “new trafficking route.”

In a statement, the BI said the discovery was an “alarming development” that “marks a dangerous shift in trafficking patterns,” noting its similarity to the operations of Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos).

“This is [represents] a deeply disturbing trend. We are now seeing victims being funneled to Pakistan for illegal online work—clearly a new scheme from the same criminal playbook tied to illegal Pogos,” said BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado in a statement.

“This shows how traffickers are becoming more aggressive and deceptive,” he added.



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According to the BI, four Filipinos were intercepted at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Sunday, July 6, by the Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section or I-PROBES.

The group, composed of a man and three women in their late 30s to early 40s, was attempting to depart for Hong Kong through Cebu Pacific flight 5J 110.

They initially claimed to be traveling for a brief vacation, but during a secondary inspection by authorities, the group admitted that their final destination was in Pakistan, where they would be working as cleaners and a cook in an online gaming compound.

The group said they were recruited by a Chinese national who promised them monthly salaries ranging from P35,000 to P45,000. They were also instructed to pose as tourists and were provided with cash to facilitate their travel.

 

READ: Philippines warns Timor-Leste about potential Pogo relocation

 

“These people were promised jobs but were told to lie about their purpose of travel and wait for further instructions overseas. This modus operandi reeks of exploitation and abuse,” said Viado.

The BI said it has already relayed its findings to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking to investigate the recruiters and facilitators behind the scheme.

Meanwhile, Viado warned those seeking to work overseas to “be cautious of anyone offering too-good-to-be-true opportunities abroad, especially if you’re instructed to lie or pose as a tourist.”

“These victims were scammed and almost trafficked out of the country under false promises,” he said. /dl/abc

(2025/07/07-13:43)