Australian Federal Police Uncover a Philippines-Based 'Pig Butchering' Scam Targeting Australian Men, Arresting Over 250 Suspects

Recently, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) successfully cracked down on a transnational scam targeting Australian men, uncovering a well-orchestrated "pig butchering" scam center in the Philippines and arresting over 250 individuals involved.

The AFP searched an alleged scam compound in the Philippines

Shift Work Aimed at Australian Men，Victims Could Number in the Thousands

According to information disclosed by the police, the scammers specifically targeted Australian men aged 35 and above. They operated in shifts in a compound in the Philippines, aligning their schedules with Australian time zones to better build trust with their targets. Through prolonged communication and false promises, the scammers gradually gained the trust of their victims, eventually convincing them to invest in fake cryptocurrency trading platforms.

Reports from AFP indicate that 50 Australian men have already been confirmed as direct targets of this call center. However, according to intelligence provided by Philippine law enforcement, the actual number of Australian victims could be in the thousands, highlighting the extensive reach and specific targeting strategy of this scam group.

Search Operations: A Major Crackdown

Philippine law enforcement conducted a search operation under a warrant, citing immigration law violations. During the raid, they seized a vast amount of equipment from the scam center, including over 300 computer servers, more than 1,000 mobile phones, and thousands of SIM cards. This operation not only exposed the large scale of the scam center but also revealed its systematic and professional modus operandi.

More than 1,000 mobile phones, and thousands of SIM cards were seized during the operation

Following the equipment seizure, authorities arrested over 190 foreigners and 68 Filipinos, all suspected of violating immigration laws.

A Wake-Up Call for Investors

This operation serves as a crucial reminder to investors, especially those seeking high-return investment opportunities online, to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to transnational scam groups.