Korean in alleged telecom fraud nabbed in Makati

A Korean national and alleged leader of telecommunications fraud syndicate was arrested by the authorities in Makati City, according to John Consulta’s “24 Oras” report on Wednesday.

The suspect was apprehended by the Bureau of Immigration–Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) and Korean police in a hotel in Makati City.

BI-FSU chief Rendel Sy said the alleged fraud syndicate pretended to be bank employees calling their victims to get personal information to steal money from their bank accounts.

“Matagal na rin namin siyang sinusundan umpisa pa lang sa Cavite at sa area ng Angeles. Nataon na may nagbato sa amin ng impormasyon na itong taong ito ay nakacheck-in sa isang hotel sa Makati kaya agad naming pinuntahan,” Sy said.

(We have also been following him for a long time in Cavite and Angeles area. We received information that this person had checked in in a hotel in Makati City so we immediately went there.)

“Ang sindikatong ito ay nagpapanggap na mga empleyado ng bangko tinatawagan ang kanilang mga biktima at pagmay mga nakuha silang sensitibong impormasyon na magamit upang makawithdraw ng pera sa mga account ng kanilang mga biktima,” he added.

(This syndicate pretends to be bank employees calling their victims to obtain sensitive information that can be used to withdraw money from their victims' accounts.)

In a separate operation, authorities also arrested a Chinese fugitive who has been hiding for three years.

“Itong si Zhang, Yujte ay head ng isang financial institution sa China at noong 2014 nag-organize siya ng illegal fundraising activity at kumita siya roon ng malaking halaga. At since 2019 pumunta na siya sa Pilipinas para magtago,” Sy said.

(Zhang, Yujte is the head of a financial institution in China. In 2014, she organized an illegal fundraising activity and earned a large amount there. In 2019, she went to the Philippines to hide.)

The arrested suspects refused to comment on the allegations.

Authorities are now processing their documents for deportation to their respective countries.—Richa Noriega/LDF, GMA News