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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider BI arrests 4 foreigners for 'financial fraud'

BI arrests 4 foreigners for 'financial fraud'

Published Apr 1, 2026 03:51 pm
Four Nigerian and South Korean nationals, who were reportedly engaged in financial fraud, have been arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in Muntinlupa City and Angeles City.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado identified them as Nigerian nationals lawale Olatunji Adedayo, 46, and Dauzuo Jerome Atigbi, 34, and South Korean nationals Lee Younho, 45, and Hong Hoon Kyu, 33.
In a report of its Fugitive Search Unit (FSU), the BI said the two Nigerian nationals who were caught in possession of several passports bearing different names that also bore fraudulent travel stamps and biographical data that did not match records in the BI database.
It said the operation was conducted based on a request for assistance by a representative of a Philippine financial institution, following reports of fraudulent remittance claims in its several branches.
It also said: “Investigations revealed that Atigbi allegedly executed a sophisticated financial fraud scheme by posing as legitimate recipients of remittances sent via wire. He reportedly used multiple passports under different identities to unlawfully claim the funds.”
The two Nigerian nationals were found to be overstaying aliens in the Philippines.
The BI said that the FSU arrested Lee and Hong during separate operations in Angeles City in Pampanga.
It said that “Lee is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Suwon District Court for operating an illegal online gambling platform, which reportedly generated billions of Korean won in illicit proceeds.”
At the same time, the BI said that Lee is also the subject of a red notice issued by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and has been placed in the BI’s blacklist and watchlist for being a fugitive from justice.
It also said that Lee operated an online gambling site in Pampanga where he “facilitated betting activities involving games such as baccarat, slot machines, and blackjack, amassing illegal profits through coordinated operations with accomplices.”
On the other hand, the BI said Hong “is the subject of an Interpol Red Notice issued in November 2025 and an arrest warrant from the Seoul Central District Court for fraud.”
It also said that investigations found that “Hong and his accomplices established a fraudulent operation in the Philippines where they lured victims through social media advertisements promising guaranteed profits from a so-called ‘Minesweeper’ betting scheme.”
It added that at least 15 victims were reportedly deceived into transferring a total of KRW 300 million.
Viado warned: “These operations send a strong and unequivocal message — the Philippines will not be used as a haven for financial fraudsters and fugitives.”
The four arrested foreigners are now detained at the BI’s warden facility pending their deportation.

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