In a significant move against transnational crime, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) of the Philippines has announced a cooperative effort with the Australian Federal Police following the discovery of a scam operation in Pasay City. The operation, which was raided in October 2024, has been linked to over 5,000 potential victims in Australia, who were warned via text messages about possible romance scams originating from the Philippines.
The collaboration involves the Australian Federal Police’s National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC) and the Philippines’ National Bureau of Investigation. PAOCC Director Winston John Casio emphasized the commission’s dedication to eradicating these scam operations, highlighting the global nature of the crime. The Australian NASC, working alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines-led Joint Policing Cybercrime Collaboration Centre, identified that the majority of the potential victims are males over the age of 35.
The scam involved fraudsters posing as Filipino women, either working in Australia or residing in the Philippines, who used popular dating apps to initiate fake romantic relationships. These scammers would then persuade their victims to invest in cryptocurrency, starting with an initial investment ranging from AUD300 to AUD800, and encouraging further investments.
Following the scam’s exposure, Philippine authorities arrested over 250 suspects in Pasay City and seized more than 300 computer towers, 1,000 mobile phones, and thousands of SIM cards. The evidence collected has been shared internationally to aid in identifying other potential victims.
Catriona Lowe, deputy chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, reported that Australians lost AUD23.6 million to dating and romance scams in 2024, underscoring the severity of the issue.