POGOS' ROMANCE SCAM

Nagtampisaw ba kayong dalawa sa init ng inyong katawan?

Pinagsamantalahan mo ba ang maselan na babae?

Napakahilig mo namang magsalat.

Those were samples of the lurid questions raised and suggestive comments made for the sexually arousing pleasure of the House of Representatives panel, including Harry Roque, feasting on the salacious grilling of the witness in Leila De Lima’s trumped-up charges many years ago.

“Romance” in our title doesn’t allude to such titillating words above, nor does it hint at the following banner of this latest revealing story:

Roque funds Mr. Supranatural PH winner’s Europe trip, documents show – The Manila Times

Soon after, the headlines triggered lurid and suggestive (a dose of Roque’s own medicine?) banners in YouTube vloggers:

Afternoon Delight: Harry Roque’s travel companion.

Wow Ahhh! Diabetic si Harry Roque kaya nagsama ng macho, pogi, at model at hindi nurse?

Sana all! Dating empleyado ni Harry Roque na ililibre sa ibang bansa pogi, macho, at model?

To some degree, the “romance” alluded to in our title is embedded in the following headline:

Porac Pogo Lists Harry Roque as legal representative - Rappler

POGO

The crux of the matter: Pogo. As a scam center, Pogo is a germ that sows the seeds of a “romance scam” through an intricate scheme called “pig butchering” where one victim ends up becoming today’s CNN headline: He died financially devastated.

It is the story of a father who took his life after losing his savings to international cyber criminals. And he’s not the only one. Heads up. You may be on the way to the same end which might have started simply with the following brief internet exchange.

Scammer (S): Hi there! I stumbled across your profile and couldn’t help but notice we have a lot in common.

Victim (V): Hello! That’s interesting. What caught your eye?

S: Your love for travel and art! I’m an avid traveler myself and an art collector. It’s rare to find someone who shares these passions.

V: That’s cool! Where have you traveled recently?

S: I just got back from Italy. The art there is breathtaking. I wish I could share this experience with someone special like you.

V: Italy sounds amazing! I’ve always wanted to go there.

S: Maybe one day we could go together. I feel a strong connection with you already.

V: That would be lovely. It’s nice to meet someone who understands me.

[After some time, once trust is built.]

S: You know, I’ve been working on this exciting investment opportunity in crypto. It has great growth potential.

V: Really? I don’t know much about crypto.

S: No worries. I can guide you through it. It’s a sure way to secure our future, especially if we’re considering that trip to Italy.

V: That does sound promising…

S: Trust me, I only want the best for us. If you invest now, we could see huge returns in just a few months!

V: How much are we talking about?

S: Just a small amount to start with, say $5,000? You won’t regret it.

Killed By A Scam

In the CNN feature article, He died financially devastated, Teele Rebane and Ivan Watson write, “Sitting at the table, [son] Matt struggles to recount the events of the past months. ‘As soon as I found out that it was a suicide [by his father], I was 100% sure that it was the scam,’ he says.” CNN narrated:

“On a horse farm in northern Virginia, surrounded by sprawling fields and stables, the family gathers at their younger sister Adrianne’s house – something they’ve done a lot in the three months since their father took his own life after falling victim to a so-called pig butchering scam.”

The term pig butchering refers to an unsuspecting victim – the pig – being tricked by scammers into forking over money into cryptocurrency. District attorney Jeff Rosen says that once criminals “fatten up” their victims’ digital wallets, they steal the money.”

Back Home

At times, the deception is straightforward, lacking the complexity of schemes like pig butchering. A colleague of mine unexpectedly received a substantial sum of money. Coincidentally, he was soon contacted by a woman whose profile picture portrayed her as an attractive soldier. Despite suspicions that she might have had privileged information about his newfound wealth, he was intrigued and accepted her friend request. Their conversations blossomed into a virtual friendship.

In one peculiar exchange, she claimed to have sent him a package valued at $1.8 million. Despite the glaring warning signs, he continued their correspondence, captivated by her beauty and charm.

It took his sister’s assertive intervention to prevent him from potentially losing his life savings.

Reflecting on this incident, it’s astonishing how these fraudsters have mastered the art of gaining victims’ trust, sometimes even over their kin. It’s a profound psychological manipulation they’re executing globally. He was not merely interacting with a lone con artist; he was ensnared by a multibillion-dollar syndicate equipped with strategies designed to exploit human emotions. It was as if he had been subjected to a form of psychological conditioning.

The Social Costs of POGOs

While POGOs are touted for their economic contributions, the social costs are often overlooked. Cybercrimes, such as romance scams, have become synonymous with these gaming hubs. Victims from around the world share harrowing tales of deceptions and loss, painting a grim picture of the psychological and financial devastation wrought by these scams.

Economic Benefits vs. Social Detriments

The employment opportunities and revenue generated by POGOs are frequently highlighted by proponents. However, when weighed against the social detriments – broken families, drained savings, and shattered lives – the economic benefits pale in comparison. Experts warn that without intervention, the societal impact of POGOs could be irreversible.

The Multibillion-Dollar Scam Industry

The scam industry linked to POGOs is vast and complex. Law enforcement agencies grapple with its intricacies, often hindered by legal loopholes and jurisdictional challenges. To combat this industry effectively, a multifaceted strategy encompassing policy reform and international cooperation is essential.

Senator Risa Hontiveros concluded:

“Halo-halong kalamay na ang scams, national security threats, at human trafficking. And let us be clear: Pogos are scam centers.  Pogos are a hotspot of fugitives. Pogos are a petri dish for crime.”

Leila De Lima said after her release from prison after nearly seven years of incarceration: “I need to be fully vindicated.”

Having separated the light from shadows and unveiled the dark side of POGOs, where her chief oppressor Rodrigo Duterte is the apparent POGO master enabler, Leila de Lima may now feel vindicated a bit while praying and hoping for ICC’s knock on our nation’s gate.

Content put together in collaboration with Microsoft Bing AI-powered Co-pilot

Head photo courtesy of 123RF

Video clips courtesy of YouTube