Life sentences for three Chinese nationals who trafficked over 1,200 people for Philippines online scams

A Philippine court has sentenced three Chinese nationals to life imprisonment for trafficking over 1,200 people who were forced to run online scams, including crypto and romance frauds.

The convicted — Hong Liji, Tan Yong, and Infandi — operated under the aliases “Big Boss”, “Beta”, and “Ace”. They ran a company called Colorful and Leap Group Co in Mabalacat City, which served as a front for an online gambling hub that also ran cryptocurrency and romance scams.

The operation was dismantled in May 2023 during a raid led by the Philippine Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC). Authorities rescued 1,137 foreign nationals and 129 Filipino citizens, many of whom had been trafficked and forced into scam work.

On May 4 2026, Judge Rodrigo Del Rosario found the three men guilty of violating the Philippines’ anti-trafficking law, with proof beyond reasonable doubt. Each was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined 2 million Philippine pesos (about $45,000).

“This verdict proves the Philippine government’s unwavering resolve to eradicate human trafficking,” said Gilbert Cruz, former chair of the country’s anti-trafficking body.

Victims, who came from China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia, said they were tricked into coming to the Philippines, had their passports confiscated, and were forced to create fake online identities to lure victims into fraudulent crypto investments.

One survivor, who went by “Marcus”, helped identify the operators after being rescued. “Testifying turned my pain into purpose,” he said. “This outcome proves that justice is possible when survivors speak up.”

Authorities also seized a vault containing multiple currencies — dollars, yuan, pesos, and baht — totalling around 189.6 million pesos ($4.26 million). Vehicles and the scam compound itself, which includes eight buildings and a warehouse, were ordered forfeited.

In addition to prison terms and fines, the three were jointly ordered to pay 600,000 pesos ($13,500) in moral and exemplary damages to two victims who testified in court.