Alice Guo, 35, a Chinese national has been sentenced to life in prison. She was convicted of committing human trafficking for operating a foreign-based online gambling establishment in the Philippines. Guo pretended to be a Brit while she was running as the mayor of a small town north of Manila. Her namesake’s actions resulted in the exploitation of hundreds of innocent people who were tortured into running these scams.
Guo’s criminal enterprises only became public after her dramatic arrest by the Indonesian police in Sept. 2024. She escaped the Philippines after her plot was exposed, which included running a Chinese-run online gambling parlor. When they investigated the cult in March 2024, authorities found depraved conditions. During their investigations, they identified more than 700 victims of fraud fraudulently recruited to commit illegal acts.
Guo’s company owned a lavish compound that included office buildings, luxury villas for managers, and a massive swimming pool. This opulent environment was a sharp contrast to the pain that she subjected her victims to. In 2023, victims across the entire Southeast Asia region were targeted in multiple large scam operations. These nefarious plots resulted in even more jaw-dropping losses, as much as $37 billion.
Guo was convicted with seven co-accused, highlighting the sheer breadth of the operation. During a wave of public protest over her death, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. responded by moving to ban offshore gambling operations entirely. This change is intended to address the increasing issue of human trafficking and exploitation in the industry.
“After over just one year, the court … gave us a favourable decision. Alice [Guo] was convicted along with seven other co-accused. Life imprisonment,” – Olivia Torrevillas
This conviction marks a significant step in bringing those who perpetrate human trafficking crimes to justice. It raises the profile of the very serious nature of these crimes. The case has galvanized the post by Filipinos in the Philippines and worldwide. It has led to greater awareness and calls to action on the need for more stringent gambling regulations protecting vulnerable communities.