BI nabs 2 S. Korean fraud suspects
THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced the arrest of two South Koreans wanted by authorities in their country for telecommunications and financial fraud.
In a statement, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente identified the captured fugitives as Lee Choungeon, 43, and Kim Seongku, 45, who were arrested in Metro Manila during separate operations by members of the BI Fugitive Search Unit (FSU).
Morente said Lee, who was arrested Monday morning, will soon be sent back to Korea as an order for his summary deportation was already issued against him by the BI Board of Commissioners for being an “undesirable alien”.
Lee reportedly attempted to extend his tourist visa at the BI’s main office in Intramuros, Manila, when alert personnel noticed his derogatory records in their system.
This prompted them to coordinate with FSU operatives to effect the arrest. A warrant of deportation was issued against Lee last December 3, 2021, after being tagged as a wanted fugitive following information from Korean authorities.
Records of the Interpol’s National Central Bureau (NCB) in Manila show that Lee is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Daejeon District Court in Hongsung, South Korea, issued on Apr 2020.
He was allegedly charged with fraud for being a member of a syndicate that defrauds its victims of money through voice phishing.
On the other hand, Kim was arrested inside a Pasig City condominium complex on Tuesday.
Kim is wanted in Korea, with an arrest warrant from the Seoul Central District Court issued on April 1, 2022, due to electronic fraud charges that were filed against him.
Authorities alleged that Kim hacked into his victim’s blockchain account and stole cryptocurrencies and Bitcoins worth over P613 million.
Both South Koreans are detained at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, pending deportation.
