The Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested six Korean nationals in a raid of a suspected illegal online gambling hub in a hotel in Pasay City.
BI fugitive search unit (FSU) chief Rendel Ryan Sy reported that the six Koreans were arrested in coordination with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Southern Police District Field Unit (CIDG-SPIDFU) on February 17.
Among those arrested was Ha Jungjo, who has an active derogatory record with the BI for overstaying or unexplained prolonged presence in the country.
The raid was conducted following an official communication from the PAOCC regarding suspected illegal activities of said aliens.
The operatives discovered multiple computer stations allegedly used for illegal offshore gaming operations.
Korean authorities confirmed that monetary transactions in Korean currency and linked bank accounts suggest active participation in illegal gambling activities.
The apprehended foreign nationals, most of whom held permanent resident visas, were caught in the act of operating the suspected gambling hub.
While physical custody of the arrested individuals has been turned over to the PAOCC, legal custody remains with the BI as deportation proceedings commence.
All six Koreans face deportation and blacklisting from the country.
