The Bureau of Immigration (BI) apprehended three South Korean fugitives sought by authorities in Seoul for running illegal online gambling sites.
BI Commissioner Joel Viado reported that the arrest of the foreign fugitives occurred in two separate operations carried out by members of the agency's Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) in Metro Manila on November 8.
One South Korean fugitive was arrested in Parañaque City, while the other two were apprehended in Quezon City.
All three are currently detained at the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, where they will remain until deportation proceedings take place.
“They will also be placed in our blacklist of undesirable to make sure they won’t be able to come back to the Philippines,” Viado further stated.
The first arrested fugitive is reportedly wanted by Interpol and is the subject of an arrest warrant issued in May 2021 by the Jeonju District Court in South Korea for opening and operating an online gambling site.
Furthermore, he is alleged to have conspired with other suspects to operate the websites since 2014.
He was also accused of receiving gambling funds, converting them into cryptocurrency, and distributing winnings based on the results of online bets.
As for the other two arrested individuals, reports indicate that they were issued arrest warrants by the Incheon District Court in May 2023 for operating illegal gambling websites.
The two individuals are believed to be mid-level managers in an online gaming syndicate, overseeing the operations of over 23 illegal gambling sites. Reports suggest they generated more than 2 trillion won (around US$1.4 million) in illicit profits.
