In a significant development, money laundering complaints have been officially lodged with the Department of Justice (DOJ) against individuals apprehended on May 4 during a targeted raid on suspected cryptocurrency scam operations. The raid took place at the Sun Clark Valley Hub Corporation within the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone in Mabalacat City, Pampanga.
The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), under the leadership of the DOJ, revealed this crucial information in a statement released on Friday, Oct. 13. However, the IACAT statement refrained from disclosing the identities of the charged individuals, and copies of the filed complaints were not accessible at the time of the statement.
“This case sends a potent message to those engaged in such illicit activities, warning them of severe consequences under the full force of our laws,” emphasized the IACAT in its statement.
The Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) played a decisive role by filing a criminal case of money laundering under Republic Act No. 9160, as highlighted by the council. The IACAT, along with collaborative partners, including the Clark Development Corporation and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), coordinated closely in the filing of the complaints on Friday, Oct. 13.
The operations on May 4 targeted the Clark Sun Valley Hub Corporation, reportedly involved in cryptocurrency scams. The IACAT reported that the law enforcement authorities not only successfully executed a rescue operation, liberating over 1000 victims of human trafficking but also discovered several vaults within the premises, leading to the seizure of money.
Previously, the DOJ had announced the filing of criminal charges against eight foreigners arrested during the May 4 raid. The charges were related to violations of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, specifically Section 4(j)(2), in relation to Section 6(c) and (o), further related to Section 10(e) of Republic Act No. 9208. The resolution approving these charges was dated May 22, 2023, but a copy has not been made public, and the identities of those charged and the courts involved remain undisclosed.