A Chinese national, who has been suspected to be a money launderer for illegally operating Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), has been arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in Pasay City.
The BI identified the Chinese national as Wang Zhouyu, 35, who was arrested by operatives of the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) on Tuesday, March 4.
“Wang is reported as a money launderer of illegal POGO operations and scam hubs in the country, assisting them in the illicit movement of funds,” the BI said in a statement issued on Wednesday, March 5.
It said Wang's arrest was requested by the Chinese government which said that “Wang has a standing warrant of arrest issued by the Qinhuangdao Public Security Bureau for Fraud in Violation of the Article 82 of the PRC Criminal Procedure Law dtd 18 February 2025.”
“Wang and his cohorts reportedly established a network that has been deeply involved in money laundering activities, and coordinates with other fraud groups based in mainland China in order to facilitate fund transfer service of their illegal revenues,” it also said.
“Foreign authorities have traced financial transactions amounting to CNY 19 million that are linked to 23 criminal cases,” it added.
After this arrest, the BI said that Wang has been detained at the bureau’s detention facility in Taguig City pending his deportation.