BI nabs 3 South Koreans in Novaliches over $840-M telecoms fraud

MANILA, Philippines — Three South Korean men reportedly involved in telecommunications fraud were arrested in Novaliches in Quezon City, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported Monday.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said 29-year-old Jin Unghyeon, 34-year-old Choi Sukhyun, and 23-year-old Lee Seungsu were caught in the act of manning and operating their computer workstations which they used to defraud their victims through voice phishing during an operation conducted on October 27.

The BI said Jin has long been wanted by authorities in Seoul for involvement in telecommunications fraud, allegedly being a member of a syndicate that swindled their compatriots of over $US840 million since they ran their voice phishing racket in January 2017.

Morente said Jin will be immediately sent back to South Korea to face the charges there.

“His two accomplices will be expelled as well after they are charged with violation of immigration law and undergo deportation proceedings,” Morente said in a statement.

“Their names will then be included in our blacklist to prevent them from re-entering the country,” he added.

Meanwhile, Rendel Ryan Sy, BI-Fugitive Search Unit acting chief, said that Jin’s cohorts are also overstaying aliens, after an examination of their passports showed that their tourist visas have already expired.

“Many of our recent arrests involve wanted criminals attempting to transfer their illegal phishing or scamming operations in the country,” Morente said.

“Through our cooperation with our foreign counterparts, we are informed of their crimes.  We will make sure that these fugitives do not use the country as their haven for their illegal activities.  We will arrest, deport, and blacklist them so they may not set foot in our country again,” he added.

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