Bureau of Immigration (BI) operatives have arrested a South Korean fugitive wanted in his country allegedly for telephone fraud victimizing a number of his compatriots.
In a report to BI Commissioner Jaime Morente, the bureau’s fugitive search unit (FSU) said 43-year-old Yi Younggwi was arrested on Wednesday, Jan. 26, at his home in North Dasma Garden Villas, Dasmarinas City, Cavite.
Yi was arrested based on a warrant of deportation issued against him in 2019 for being an undesirable alien.
The BI chief ordered the bureau’s legal division to expedite Yi’s deportation so he could be sent back home to stand trial and receive punishment for his crimes.
FSU chief Rendel Ryan Sy said Yi is subject of an arrest warrant issued by a district court in Daegu City, South Korea where he was charged with engaging in fraudulent transactions that violated the country’s criminal and electronic financial transactions laws.
Sy said the Korean is also subject of a warrant of arrest issued by the Interpol.
The Interpol told the BI that Yi and his cohorts were engaged in voice phishing and telephone fraud operations that swindled many Koreans of more than 115.7 million won or nearly US$100,000.
The suspects made calls to bank depositors by pretending to be bank officials, thus enabling the latter to obtain detailed information on their bank accounts.