China Vows to Work with Philippines to Combat Online Gaming Crimes

China has vowed to work closely with the Philippines to combat cyber-criminal activities arising from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs), according to a statement issued by the Chinese Embassy in Manila.

“The Chinese side would like to continue to work closely with the Philippines to combat such crimes as telecommunications fraud, illegal online gambling, money-laundering, illegal employment, kidnapping, extortion, torture, murder and the like so as to effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of nationals of the two countries, and to promote the China-Philippines friendship and cooperation,” said the statement.

The embassy released the statement after local media reported that the Ministry of Public Security of China has cancelled the passports of thousands of Chinese nationals working for the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs).

In order to crack down on cross-border telecom fraud crimes, the embassy said China’s Ministry of Public Security has obtained a list of Chinese nationals suspected of committing long-term telecom fraud crimes abroad, who are classified as the persons prohibited from exiting China according to the Exit and Entry Administration Law of China.