PAGCOR Chief Legal Counsel Roderick R. Consolacion warned Facebook Philippines against being used by the persons organizing the illegal bingo games and online gambling, to promote illegal activities.
Consolacion said Facebook Philippines should “act immediately against such activities to avoid the perception that your company is aiding and abetting the same.”
Pagcor claims 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 (credit card fraud). It said betting on such illegal gambling activities is also a crime.
PAGCOR said 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.
PAGCOR said it would prosecute 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.