A South Korean couple who are wanted in their country for alleged large-scale fraud have been arrested in Makati City, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Friday, April 11.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthonhy Viado identified them as Choi Jeongyun and Kim Minwoo, both 41 years of age, and arrested by immigration operatives at their residence in Barangay Carmona, Makati City last April 4.
“Upon deportation, their names will be included in our blacklist to prevent them from re-entering the country,” Viado said.
The two "fugitives" were arrested based on the "red notices" issued by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol). They were found to have been staying in the Philippines since 2019 and have been overstaying since then.
The BI said that the Chucheon District Court in South Korea had issued arrest warrants against the couple.
“Authorities alleged that the couple are engaged in voice phishing operations on the internet which enabled them to defraud their victims of more than $840,000 by pretending to be bankers or representatives of a financial institution,” the BI disclosed.
“Choi allegedly worked as a profit manager while Kim was employed as manager and telemarketer for the syndicate since 2017,” it added.
"The Philippines is not a sanctuary for fugitives evading their crimes, and those who abuse our hospitality will be arrested and deported,” Viado said.
The South Korean couple are now detained at the BI's facility in Taguig City pending their deportation.