Online seller found to be in possession of POGO text blasting devices nabbed by police
• The Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) arrested an online seller in Taguig City with 11 illegal text blaster devices
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• The machines were allegedly sourced from defunct Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) companies
• The suspect, who sold the devices for up to P30,000 each, was caught during a police entrapment operation
• The illegal devices, which enable mass SMS broadcasting, are frequently used in text scamming operations to collect personal and financial information
In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has announced the arrest of an online seller found in possession of 11 text blaster devices that have been traced back to defunct Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) companies.
Source: UGC
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The apprehension underscores a growing concern that illegal equipment from shuttered POGO hubs is being repurposed for use in large-scale scamming operations.
PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) Director Police Brigadier General Bernard Yang revealed the details in a press briefing on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
He stated that the 36-year-old suspect, identified only as "Kian," was arrested during an entrapment operation in Taguig City on July 20.
The suspect had been actively advertising the illegal devices for sale on social media platforms, with a price tag ranging from P25,000 to P30,000 per unit.
Yang clarified that the suspect was primarily an online vendor, but the investigation confirmed the illicit origin of the machines.
"The source of these text blaster machines is from former POGO companies," he explained. The suspect reportedly claimed that the devices were part of a bulk purchase of computer equipment he had made online, with the seller allegedly assuring him that the machines came from closed-down POGO sites.
The operation was initiated after the PNP-ACG's cyber patrol units discovered the illegal online listings. "We conducted an entrapment operation because the National Telecommunications Commission does not authorize the possession or sale of this text blaster machine," General Yang stated.
These devices, also known as GSM Modem Pools, are capable of broadcasting thousands of text messages to a wide range of mobile numbers in a short period.
Law enforcement officials have linked their use to a variety of text scams, including "smishing" campaigns where recipients are lured into clicking malicious links.
"These are used in various scams, sending messages with links that persuade our citizens to input their personal data, bank accounts, and credit card information," Yang said.
The arrest of the online seller is part of a broader, sustained effort by the PNP-ACG to combat the illegal trade of these devices.
Over the past six months, the unit has arrested 17 individuals for the illegal online sale of text blasters and signal jammers.
The suspect is currently in the custody of the Taguig City Police Station and is facing potential charges for violating the Philippine Radio Control Law (Republic Act No. 3846) in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10175), which penalizes the unauthorized use of telecommunications equipment for illegal activities.
The police's vigilance against this underground trade is crucial in protecting the public from the increasing threat of technology-enabled fraud.
News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable stories.
In other news, a 35-year-old lending collector was robbed of over P70,000 in Sitio Alamay, Barangay Tabun-ac, Toboso, Negros Occidental. Two suspects, armed with a knife, blocked the victim’s motorcycle and took the cash before fleeing on a black Bajaj motorcycle. Police believe the suspects had monitored the victim’s routine, knowing his collection route and timing. Authorities urged lending collectors to avoid going alone into remote or mountainous areas to prevent similar hold-up incidents.
Still in other news, authorities are currently searching for a man filmed dancing in only briefs atop a moving tricycle along Diversion Road, Mandurriao, Iloilo City. LTO-Region 6 Director Atty. Guidioso Geduspan II condemned the act, citing its danger to both the man and other motorists. Mayor Raisa Treñas denounced the incident, calling it “indecent, dangerous, and irresponsible,” The Iloilo City Police and Traffic Transportation Management Office were ordered to investigate and identify those responsible for accountability. Authorities are now searching for a man caught on video dancing atop a moving tricycle wearing only briefs in Iloilo City.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
