State-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. has warned the public against certain persons who have been organizing illegal bingo games and internet/ online gambling and using Facebook to promote such illegal activities.
According to the public warning, fraudsters are taking advantage of social media and the uncertainties brought by the COVID-19 pandemic to scam the public, steal financial information, and use stolen identity for illegal purposes.
Pagcor warned the public not to patronize such schemes due to the risk of being scammed, falling prey to identity theft, and credit card fraud. Betting on such illegal gambling activities is also a crime, it said.
The warning emphasized that no person or organization other than those licensed by Pagcor and other government agencies may operate gambling in the Philippines.
“It is illegal for any person or organization without a license to in any manner, directly or indirectly take part in any unauthorized gambling activities, including online, internet, or remote gambling,” it said.
Pagcor reiterated its commitment to the prosecution of persons involved in such illegal activities because of the strong link between illegal gambling and organized crime who are also engaged in credit card fraud, identity theft, money laundering.
In a separate letter, Pagcor through its chief legal counsel Atty. Roderick Consolacion warned Facebook Philippines against being used by the persons organizing the illegal bingo games and internet/ online gambling, to promote illegal activities.
Consolacion asked Facebook Philippines to “act immediately against such activities to avoid the perception that your company is aiding and abetting the same.”