Authorities in the Philippines are seeking some Php2.23 billion (US$36.2 million) in unpaid tax from alleged scam compound and former Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) Hongsheng Gaming Technology Ltd.
“POGO Mayor” Alice Guo was formerly listed as an owner of Hongsheng and the group’s operations were raided in 2024. Guo is currently serving a life sentence for human trafficking.
Hongsheng operated out of a compound in Banban, Tarlac which was owned by Baofu Land Development, co-founded by fugitive Huang Zhiyang, with Guo as one of the company’s owners. Zhiyang managed to avoid arrest during the raid on Hongsheng – reportedly escaping in Guo’s helicopter – and is currently at large, having last been confirmed to be in Hong Kong in September of 2024.
According to the Manila Bulletin, the Bureau of Internal Revenue is now going after Hongsheng for tax evasion, after investigators found Php2.2 billion in unpaid corporate tax income, value-added tax and employee withholding taxes.
BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R Mendoz indicated that the tax department lodged a criminal complaint with the Department of Justice early this month, targeting Hongsheng’s operations.
“No business should be able to operate in the Philippines, earn income here and evade the taxes required by law. The BIR will pursue these cases wherever the evidence leads us,” stated the official.
POGOs were officially outlawed from 1 January 2025, with authorities in April of this year declaring all POGO operations eradicated from the country. Following the POGO crackdown in the Philippines, scam operations became more prevalent in Cambodia and throughout the Golden Triangle, prompting a nationwide scam crackdown in Cambodia which is ongoing.
Amongst the scam crackdown in Cambodia, operations have reportedly shifted to Sri Lanka, with authorities stating they are now on high alert.
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