PAOCC targets syndicates behind ‘OLA’ scam

THE Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) under Executive Director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz, is focusing its attention on the continued proliferation of ‘Online Lending Applications’ (OLAs) being run by criminal syndicates.

At the same time, the PAOCC also sent its sincerest condolence to the family of an OLA victim in Valenzuela City who decided to commit suicide last July 4 due to the harassment he has been receiving from the yet to be named OLA syndicate.

“According to initial information, the victim was subjected to repeated threats, intimidation, and public shaming, which contributed to his emotional distress, loss of employment, and family problems,” Usec. Cruz said, adding:

“Lubos kaming nakikiramay sa pamilyang nawalan ng mahal sa buhay dahil sa mapang-abusong online lending app.

“Napakasakit ng kanilang pinagdadaanan, at hindi ito kailanman dapat mangyari sa sinuman. Kaisa nila kami sa pagdadalamhati, at titiyakin naming makakamit nila ang hustisya.”

It can be recalled that it was the hard and dedicated work of the PAOCC under Usec. Cruz that led to the unmasking of the criminal nature of the Philippine Online Gaming Operations (POGO) and which resulted to President Marcos Jr. ordering its total closure by the end of 2024.