Philippine AML Probes Casino Junkets and Crypto Trail in $3.7M Ransom-Murder of Business Tycoon Anson Que

The Philippine Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has launched an expansive investigation into possible ties between two casino junket operators and the gruesome kidnap-murder of prominent steel businessman Anson Que.

Que and his driver, Armanie Pabillo, were abducted on March 29, with the perpetrators later demanding a ransom amounting to $3.7 million.

According to a statement released by the AMLC, the scope of the investigation has now widened “beyond the kidnappers who directed the ransom payment process,” and currently includes scrutiny of individuals embedded within the junket operations—particularly casino patrons suspected of receiving initial ransom proceeds through electronic wallets.

Despite the family fulfilling the ransom demands with three payments made between March 31 and April 8, the bodies of Que and Pabillo were discovered on April 9, abandoned along a roadside and showing clear signs of having been savagely beaten.

In a disturbing development, the Philippine National Police disclosed that part of the ransom money was traced to bank accounts held in the names of junket operators 9 Dynasty Group and White Horse Club. The deposits were made in both Philippine pesos and U.S. dollars, and authorities reported that on May 5, these funds were channeled into no fewer than ten different e-wallet accounts. From there, the money was allegedly converted into cryptocurrency and dispersed into a network of untraceable crypto wallets.

The AMLC confirmed its active role in pursuing these money laundering leads, stating, “The illicit scheme reportedly utilized e-wallets intended exclusively for casino gaming, shell accounts, and cryptocurrency to obscure the money trail.”

The financial watchdog is now working in close collaboration with multiple domestic and international bodies. Among its partners are the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Philippine National Police, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and several unnamed foreign law enforcement agencies. Blockchain forensics tools are currently being employed to trace the flow of crypto funds through international wallets.

In the wake of the scandal, both 9 Dynasty Group and White Horse Club have publicly confirmed that they have ceased their junket operations in most Philippine casinos. The AMLC noted that these closures took effect on May 7, with 9 Dynasty reportedly stating that it intends to withdraw completely from the Philippine gaming market.

Despite the firms’ apparent retreat, the AMLC made clear that the investigation will proceed, asserting, “[The AMLC] remains steadfast in its commitment to probe the firms’ alleged money laundering activities.”

The grisly deaths of Que and Pabillo—whose bodies were recovered in Rizal Province—have deeply unsettled the public. Forensic findings confirmed the men were severely beaten prior to being killed. The high-profile nature of the case has captured nationwide media attention, with news outlets including the Manila Times suggesting that the motive may stem from a failed $20 million offshore gaming agreement.

The unfolding investigation also coincides with an intensified government crackdown on the gaming sector. In November 2024, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos enacted an executive order prohibiting operations by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

Nonetheless, the legitimate gaming industry continues to experience robust growth, with gross gaming revenues in Q1 2025 reaching ₱104.12 billion (approximately $1.9 billion)—a 27% increase over the first quarter of FY2024.

As Philippine authorities piece together the complex financial web behind Que’s murder, the case has brought renewed focus to the murky intersections of offshore gaming, cryptocurrency laundering, and organized crime within the region. 

By fLEXI tEAM