A South Korean national, who is wanted in his country for alleged fraud, has been arrested in Pangasinan where he posed as a Filipino, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Wednesday, March 4.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the alleged fugitive as Moon Hayoung, 40, who was arrested last Feb. 26 in Barangay Palamis in Alaminos City, Pangasinan.
During the arrest, the BI said that Moon was found in possession of a fraudulently acquired Philippine passport under the name of Jonathan Martinez Park and was reported to be the owner of several resorts in Batangas and Pangasinan.
It said that “Moon is the subject of an Interpol Red Notice issued following an arrest warrant from the Suwon District Court for fraud. He is charged with violating Article 347(1) of Korea’s Criminal Act.”
Citing reports, the BI said that “Moon established voice phishing operations in January 2017, with members posing as representatives of a major bank in Korea.”
It also said the reports added that Moon’s group “defrauded victims of approximately USD 840,000.”
Moon was reportedly the syndicate’s leader who organized the group, provided funding, and set up facilities used in the scam.
On Moon’s arrest, Viado said: “Foreigners who use false identities to evade arrest will face the full force of the law. We will not allow anyone to abuse our hospitality, exploit our legal systems, or take advantage of the privileges extended to legitimate visitors.”