By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – Four South Korean nationals were arrested by operatives from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) for alleged involvement in multiple online fraud schemes.
A media release from the BI on Wednesday said Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado ordered the arrest of Ham Seong Hwan, 38, and Kim Jongbaek, 21, over fraud operations in a house inside the Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles City, Pampanga last July 26.
During the operation, he said two other South Korean men identified as Kim Taekyeong, 37, and Park Jinhyung, 36, were caught working in the said operations.
It was reported that the criminal group allegedly lures travelers through various platforms such as fake hotel websites with low rates, bogus flights, and tour offers and impersonates travel agents aimed at people seeking luxury holidays.
Park is considered the head of the said operations, and was found to have been overstaying since 2024.
The operation was conducted in coordination with Korean authorities, the Philippine Air Force in Northern Luzon, and Clark Development Corporation.
Meanwhile, the BI’s FSU also arrested on the same day another South Korean identified as Park Youngjun, 43.
The suspect was arrested along Jose Abad Santos Ave., also inside the Clark Freeport Zone. He was tagged as an undesirable alien after an Interpol red notice was issued against him, following a warrant of arrest issued by the Seongnam branch of Suwon District Court for fraud in violation of South Korean laws.
He reportedly created fraudulent accounts and subscription notifications on a major South Korean live-streaming platform, illegally earning approximately 4.6 million Won or more than PHP190,000.
The arrested individuals will remain in the BI’s holding facility while undergoing deportation proceedings. (PNA)
