BI: Korean fugitive wanted for large-scale fraud nabbed in Pangasinan

A South Korean fugitive wanted in his country for large-scale fraud was recently nabbed in an entrapment operation in Alaminos City, Pangasinan, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Wednesday.

The 40-year-old Korean man was arrested on February 26 in Barangay Palamis.

During the arrest, authorities also discovered that he possessed an alleged fraudulent Philippine passport. He also allegedly owned several resort properties in Batangas and Pangasinan.

He will remain at the BI Warden Facility pending deportation proceedings.

The foreigner is the subject of an Interpol Red Notice in connection with an arrest warrant from the Suwon District Court for fraud.

He is charged with violating Article 347(1) of Korea’s Criminal Act after allegedly establishing voice phishing operations in January 2017, with members posing as representatives of a major bank in Korea.

The group allegedly defrauded victims of approximately $840,000.

Authorities identified him as the “boss” of the organization – the ringleader who organized the group, provided funding, and set up facilities used in the scam.

The foreigner was apprehended through the joint coordination of the BI Fugitive Search Unit, Korean authorities, the Alaminos City Police Station, and government intelligence forces.

“Foreigners who use false identities to evade arrest will face the full force of the law. We will not allow anyone to abuse our hospitality, exploit our legal systems, or take advantage of the privileges extended to legitimate visitors,” said BI commissioner Joel Anthony Viado in a statement. — JMA, GMA Integrated News