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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider South Korean 'fugitive' arrested in Batangas -- BI

South Korean 'fugitive' arrested in Batangas -- BI

Published Mar 5, 2026 03:29 pm
A South Korean “fugitive,” who is wanted by his country for fraud and has been posing as a Filipino, has been arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in Batangas.
The BI identified him as Kim Yong Cheol who was arrested by operatives of the bureau’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) in Barangay Niyugan in Laurel town.
It said Kim is under the BI custody pending his deportation.
The BI said that its FSU operatives acted on a mission order after receiving reports that Kim had been using fictitious identities to carry out fraudulent activities.
“He was reportedly assuming a Filipino identity supported by falsified Philippine civil registry documents and a passport,” it disclosed.
Also, the BI said that Kim has been the subject of a red notice issued last February by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) which sought his arrest.
“According to information from Korean authorities, Kim allegedly defrauded several victims in 2009 by falsely claiming that his company was based in the Philippines and operated a gaming firm, a travel agency, and an online shopping platform,” the BI said.
Also, it said that Kim “reportedly enticed investors with promised returns ranging from 250 to 450 percent, depending on the amount invested. Through the scheme, he allegedly obtained more than KRW 1 billion from his victims,” it also said.
BI records showed that Kim arrived in the Philippines in 2009 as a temporary visitor. However, the BI said that “no subsequent application for extension of stay or conversion of visa status was recorded” and, thus, “he is considered an overstaying alien.”
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