The Bureau of Immigration (BI) detained a South Korean couple after being tagged as fugitives wanted for fraud in Seoul.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente identified the fugitives as Seol Kwangsu, 33, and Han Haneul, 26, who were arrested in Las Piñas City last Thursday by members of the Bureau’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU).
Morente said the Koreans will be deported for being undesirable and undocumented aliens, adding that the latter’s passports were already canceled by the Korean government.
He added that he issued mission orders for the couple’s arrest at the request of South Korean authorities in Manila.
According to BI-FSU Chief Rendel Ryan Sy, Seol is subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Seobu District Court in Seoul. He said a separate warrant was issued against Han by the Daejeon District Court.
Sy said both Korean were charged with fraud in connection with their involvement in a fraudulent investment scheme.
Seol was said to be a caller of a voice-phishing syndicate who impersonated lenders of financial institutions, deceiving victims into transferring 261 million won by offering false loans. Han, on the other hand, is wanted for defrauding 5 victims amounting to more than 80 million won.
A check of the duo’s travel records showed that they are already overstaying aliens. Seol last arrived in Manila on April 20, 2013, while Han’s latest arrival was on August 1, 2019.
Korean couple wanted for fraud detained in BI facility
Both Koreans are will remain at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending their deportation.
Meanwhile, Morente warned the public of an emerging online modus using the name of government officials.
Morente shared that he has received reports of unscrupulous individuals using his name, as well as other government officials, in soliciting money from unsuspecting victims.
The reports showed that the scammer, in an email, would pretend to be the BI Chief and would seek assistance in sending money abroad for a distressed friend.
The scammer would pretend to have difficulty in sending money, and would seek the assistance of his victim in wiring money in his behalf.
“This is a scam, attempting to use the name of government employees in their illegal activities,” said Morente. “The public are warned against this new modus,” he added.
He further warned that any such attempts will be coordinated with cybercrime authorities for investigation.
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