APRIL 19, 2026 — The FBI has placed a $25,000 (around ₱1.4–₱1.5 million) bounty on Filipino national Austin Jan Sy Yatco, accused of being part of “Greggy’s Cult,” an online group that exploited minors during the pandemic. The suspect, believed to be hiding in the Philippines, is wanted for conspiracy to produce, receive, and distribute child pornography.

The FBI’s Dallas Field Office has gone public with a reward for information leading to the arrest of Austin Jan Sy Yatco, 27, born in San Pedro, Laguna, who allegedly played a role in one of the most disturbing online exploitation cases in recent years. Known by the alias “Hairy Lips,” Yatco is accused of helping run Greggy’s Cult, a network that preyed on minors through gaming and social media platforms between 2019 and 2021.

According to FBI records, victims were coerced into producing child sexual abuse materials, committing acts of animal cruelty, and even exploiting their younger siblings. In some cases, the group allegedly encouraged victims to attempt suicide. 

These revelations are not just chilling — they highlight the dark underbelly of online communities that many Filipino families still trust their children to navigate daily.

A federal arrest warrant was issued on January 23, 2026, by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The charges: conspiracy to produce child pornography and conspiracy to receive and distribute child pornography. 

The FBI believes Yatco is currently in the Philippines, and the agency is urging anyone with information to step forward.

FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock underscored the urgency, saying, “The FBI continues to prioritize the investigation of predators that threaten the safety of our children. We are committed to apprehending Austin Yatco, bringing justice to his victims, and preventing future abuse.”

For us in the Philippines, this case is a wake-up call. Online gaming and social media are deeply woven into Filipino youth culture, yet they remain vulnerable spaces where predators can lurk. The fact that a Pinoy is at the center of this international manhunt should spark urgent conversations about digital safety, parental vigilance, and stronger local enforcement against cyber exploitation.

The ₱1.5 million reward is not just an incentive but a reminder that justice for victims requires collective responsibility. If Yatco is indeed hiding here, then our institutions must prove they can cooperate effectively with global agencies to protect children.

And if predators can weaponize the very platforms our children use daily, should we allow complacency to put our families at risk?

(Image: Homeland Security Today)