Online gambling-linked Chinese nationals nabbed in Parañaque

Two Chinese nationals wanted in their home country were arrested in Parañaque City for alleged involvement in running online gambling websites, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported Wednesday.

The BI identified the Chinese nationals as 38-year-old Wu Huifu and 48-year-old Li Yong. The BI’s Fugitive Search Unit took the two into custody during an operation in Barangay Tambo on Tuesday evening. Li is said to be an assistant of Wu.

The arrest followed information relayed by Chinese authorities, who said both men are subjects of arrest warrants.

According to BI Deputy Spokesperson Marvin Mabulac, the two have been operating multiple overseas online gambling platforms where they “manipulate betting systems to defraud players.” This, in turn, prolongs player activity and increases bets, which results in losses for participants and profits estimated at CNY8.6 million.

The operation had already victimized around 500,000 players.

The BI added that Wu had previously worked for a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator firm but stayed in the country despite the government’s ban on the industry.