17 Chinese fugitives wanted for online phishing, gambling nabbed in Taguig

Seventeen Chinese fugitives wanted for online phishing at online gambling in their native country have been arrested in Taguig City.

A report on 24 Oras on Tuesday said the fugitives were nabbed by joint forces from the Bureau of Immigration and the Chinese police inside their rented apartments at the Bonifacio Global City.

According to the BI, the Chinese suspects escaped to the Philippines and worked in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

"As per our coordination from our counterparts from Beijing, 14 of them are confirmed to be fugitives from justice... They have committed fraudulent acts by creating a fake online lottery draw. They defrauded their fellow nationals millions of Chinese yuan," said Bob Raquepo, chief of the BI Fugitive Search Unit.

"We are now extracting their biometrics and taking their mugshots... After this they will be referred for inquest before our special prosecutors from the legal division, the corresponding deportation procedures will be conducted against them," he added.

The arrested Chinese, who were detained at the BI's detention facility in Bicutan, Taguig, refused to be interviewed by the media.

Authorities are already trying to determine if Filipinos aided the Chinese in evading arrest. — MDM, GMA News