Four South Korean nationals were arrested by operatives from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) fugitive search unit (FSU) headed byRendel Ryan Sy for alleged involvement in multiple online fraud schemes, as enforcement operations remain in full swing under President Marcos Jr.’s administration.
The operation, conducted in coordination with Korean authorities, the Philippine Air Force in Northern Luzon, and Clark Development Corporation resulted in the apprehension of three male Korean nationals wanted for their participation in cybercrime and organized fraud rings.
Sy, in his report, identified the suspects as Ham Seong Hwan, 38 and Kim Jongbaek, 21, as having established resident-based fraud operations in a house inside the Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles City, Pampanga last July 26.
During the course of implementing the arrest, two other South Korean men identified as Kim Taekyeong, 37 and Park Jinhyung, 36, were caught in the act working in the said operations.
Sy said the criminal group allegedly lures travelers through various platforms such as fake hotel websites with low rates, bogus flights, and tour offers and impersonating 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.
Meanwhile, Sy said the BI’s FSU also arrested on the same day another South Korean fugitive identified as Park Youngjun, 43.
Park Youngjun 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 190,000 Pesos.
All four individuals will remain in the BI’s holding facility while undergoing deportation proceedings.
