PAGCOR warns of POGO reopening scam

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) issued a warning to the public on Monday about letters and text messages being circulated by fraudulent individuals claiming that Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) will be reopening.

“It has come to our attention that some people are trying to entice potential investors into paying large sums for supposed limited slots of POGO licenses, claiming that POGOs will operate directly under PAGCOR,” said PAGCOR chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco.

“There is absolutely no truth to this,” Tengco clarified. “POGOs remain banned, and there are no plans to bring them back now or in the foreseeable future.”

He urged the public to report any suspicious text messages or letters offering POGO slots immediately to PAGCOR, the police, or other law enforcement agencies, as these are fraudulent schemes intended to deceive people.

Tengco revealed that scammers are asking would-be investors for as much as P50 million, supposedly for attorney’s fees, consultations, and assessments to secure a POGO slot.

“We reiterate: POGOs will not reopen during the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and PAGCOR is not entertaining, nor will it entertain, any applications,” he added.