BI nabs alleged POGO money launderer

A Chinese man allegedly serving as a money launderer for illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) firms was arrested in Pasay City.

The Bureau of Immigration Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) nabbed the 35-year old foreigner along Roberts St. on Tuesday, March 4 after he was declared an undesirable alien for having a standing arrest warrant in China. He is currently under BI custody and is detained at the detention facility inside Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig pending his deportation.

According to Chinese authorities, the Qinhuangdao Public Security Bureau issued the arrest order against the suspect in February after he was convicted of fraud in Violation of the Article 82 of the PRC Criminal Procedure Law.

Initial investigation showed the suspect and his cohorts reportedly established a network that has been deeply involved in money laundering activities, and coordinated with other fraud groups based in mainland China to facilitate fund transfer service of their illegal revenues.

The BI said foreign authorities traced financial transactions amounting to CNY19 million (approximately P150 million) linked to 23 criminal cases.  

According to Immigration, the Chinese citizen was reported as a money launderer of illegal POGO operations and scam hubs  in the country, assisting them in the illicit movement of funds.

South Korean fugitive

Meanwhile, Immigration Bureau launched a manhunt operation against a South Korean wanted in his country for fraud.

The BI said the 28-year-old suspect is in hiding in the Philippines over his alleged involvement in deceptive investments in South Korea. An initial probe found that the suspect allegedly misled his compatriots by directing them to invest in non-existent accounts. He and his partners then withdrew the investments for their personal gain.

Immigration officers previously arrested the Korean  in May 2023 but his deportation was deferred pending the resolution of an estafa case filed by a Filipina against him at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

The complainant, an owner of a small jewelry business, said the suspect consigned several jewelries as an agent, but failed to remit the full amount of sales despite several demands.

The Korean man attended a hearing related to the said case on March 4, but was able to elude authorities using the court’s restroom.

This prompted BI Commissioner Joel Viado to order a manhunt operation for the suspect. 

“We are investigating if his counsel has knowledge of this seemingly pre-planned incident. We have also assigned a special tracker team to locate him and again take custody,” said Viado. 

Viado said the tracker team reported having solid leads for the fugitive. He also warned charges against those may who possibly abetted the suspect’s escape. — Sundy Locus/RF, GMA Integrated News