Survivors' voices triumph: Conviction sends scam syndicate leaders to lifetime imprisonment
International Justice Mission
Philippine court ruling sets precedent for regional accountability in cyber scamming operations across Southeast Asia
MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine court has convicted three foreign nationals linked to a major scam hub operation on human trafficking charges. The perpetrators were sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to pay a ₱2 million fine each, underscoring the country’s determination to dismantle trafficking networks tied to cyber scam operations.
“This verdict marks a powerful step forward,” said Andrey Sawchenko, Vice President for Regional Programs in Asia Pacific at International Justice Mission (IJM). “IJM has been supporting survivors of forced scamming in their fight for justice, and this case is historic, it targets the operators themselves, the architects of exploitation. We commend the Philippine government for its resolve to deliver justice for trafficking victims and to hold even the high-level perpetrators accountable, and in particular the assigned prosecutors, who consistently worked well with the survivors throughout the legal process. We urge other countries across Southeast Asia to follow this example and ensure that cyber scamming syndicates can no longer operate with impunity.”
Marcus*, one of the survivors who courageously testified against the traffickers, said that he is still processing the decision.
“Testifying was my way of turning pain into purpose, and this outcome proves that justice is possible when survivors speak,” says Marcus.
Marcus was trafficked to the Philippines in 2022 and forced to work in a scam hub. He was coerced into posing as fake online personas, using photos of hired models and scripted conversations to build trust with victims through dating apps and messaging platforms. He was then instructed to lure victims into investing in fraudulent cryptocurrency trading platforms.
On May 4, 2023, the Philippine National Police raided the Clark Sun Valley Hub Corporation, releasing more than 1,000 potential victims of human trafficking. Marcus was among those freed. Following the rescue, he spent five months under witness protection while receiving psychosocial support through services coordinated by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) with assistance from IJM.
Marcus later helped authorities identify supervisors involved in the operation, providing testimony that proved critical in securing the convictions.
“This legal victory is a beacon of hope. It tells every survivor that their voice matters, that justice can be won, and that institutions and individuals can stand together against exploitation,” says Marcus.
The court also ordered the traffickers to pay ₱500,000 in moral damages and ₱100,000 in exemplary damages to each of the two victims who testified in the case.
“This case shows that accountability is possible,” said Andrey Sawchenko. “Protecting vulnerable people from forced criminality will require continued cross-border cooperation and sustained action across the region.
IJM supports survivors of forced scamming who are courageously using their voices to create change. In Asia Pacific, IJM has connected with United Resilience Network (URN), an independent survivor-led group that amplifies the voices of forced scamming survivors, advocates for justice, raises awareness, and pushes for systemic reforms to prevent trafficking and exploitation.
URN brings together survivors of forced scamming to strengthen collective advocacy, expand peer support, and help create sustainable pathways for recovery and reintegration after exploitation.
*Name changed to protect survivor identity
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About IJM’s work:
IJM offices in Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia (through a local partner) are working with government agencies and embassies to facilitate the rescue, repatriation and care of survivors, as well as investigation by law enforcement partners into the cross-border human trafficking networks involved.
Since 2021, IJM has assisted over 2700 individuals determined to be victims of forced scamming in Southeast Asia. IJM also supports governments’ criminal justice system responses, which have led to the convictions of 18 perpetrators involved in forced scamming.
Media contact – IJM Australia: Briony Camp [email protected] 0468 308 696