THE Bureau of Immigration Fugitive Search Unit and the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group have arrested four Koreans wanted for alleged involvement in illegal online gambling and fraud.
First to fall to the authorities on June 25 was Oh Kyoungchul, 42, who was apprehended at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said information provided by their South Korean counterparts showed Oh the alleged leader of a syndicate that operated an illegal gambling video production ring in Cebu from 2016 to 2018.
Viado said the operation netted the group some 3.5 billion won in illicit profits.
“He was also the subject of an Interpol Red Notice and an arrest warrant issued by the Seoul Western District Court,” he added.
In the course of the operation that led to the arrest of Oh, the combined immigration and police operatives, joined by intelligence personnel from the Philippine Navy, came across another Korean identified as Yang Koo Youn, who was found to be overstaying in the country.
On the same day, Jung Hoesun, 40, was apprehended at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport based on information provided by Korean authorities that he is wanted in Seoul for operating 23 illegal online gambling sites.
“According to Korean authorities, his group earned over 4 trillion won in profits. They lured victims into joining operations in the Philippines under false pretenses, then confiscated their passports and subjected them to threats and physical abuse,” Viado said.
The fourth Korean to be arrested was Han Jonghoon, 41, who was caught by July 4.
“Han allegedly served as the finance team leader of a criminal organization that also operated 23 illegal gambling sites. His duties included managing accounts, supervising staff, and setting profit targets,” Viado said, adding the group’s operations offered sports betting and games like baccarat and Powerball.
“He is also subject of an Interpol Red Notice and two active derogatory records in the BI database,” he added.
The four are currently detained at the BI detention facility in Bicutan, Taguig City, pending their deportation to Seoul.
South Koreans topped the list of foreign fugitives arrested in the country with 39 in 2023 and 74 last year.
