South Korean fugitive with Interpol red notice arrested at NAIA —BI

A South Korean fugitive wanted by the Interpol for alleged money laundering was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) while attempting to exit the Philippines. 

According to the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the 50-year-old suspect was intercepted at the NAIA Terminal 1 on January 11 after attempting to board a flight bound for Hanoi, Vietnam.

A primary inspection found the subject has an Interpol hit in the BI system. Further verification later confirmed he has an active red notice with the Interpol.

A red notice is a request from the Interpol to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person who is wanted by a requesting member country or an international tribunal pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.

Interpol, however, clarified that this is not an international arrest warrant.

Immigration authorities arrested the foreigner. He will remain under the BI custody while waiting deportation proceedings.

Records from the Interpol showed subject was allegedly involved in money laundering activities connected to a goods purchase fraud syndicate in South Korea. He allegedly deceived a victim by falsely promising a share in the profits of an online shopping mall, thereby fraudulently obtaining 22,550,204 Korean won or more than P900,000.

He allegedly defrauded the same victim a total of 140,748,319 Korean won or P5.7 million through 24 separate transactions. The offense falls under South Korea’s Criminal Act and carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment. A warrant related to the case was issued by the Daegu District Court of Korea in July 2025.

The foreign fugitive is also set to be charged for undesirability under Philippine immigration laws, the BI added.

“This case shows how critical our coordination with Interpol and foreign counterparts is," said BI Commissioner Joel Viado.

"We will continue to strengthen these partnerships to ensure that individuals facing criminal charges overseas are intercepted and dealt with in accordance with the law,” Viado added. —KG, GMA Integrated News