IMMIGRATION agents apprehended two South Koreans wanted by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and Seoul authorities for alleged involvement in investment scams.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the target of the operation was 58-year-old Kim Young Sam, who was apprehended last April 22 in his residence at BF Homes Village in Parañaque City.
During the operation, BI agents also discovered the presence of another Korean fugitive identified as 59-year-old Weon Cheolyong.
Viado said Kim will be deported immediately, possibly this week, as he was ordered expelled by the BI board of commissioners in December 2021 for being an undesirable alien.
“Kim is also (the) subject of an Interpol red notice that was issued in 2018 after a warrant for his arrest was issued by the Seoul Central District Court where he was charged with fundraising for a business without a government permit,” the BI chief added.
He said information provided by South Korean authorities alleged that as manager of a Seoul-based company, Kim and his accomplices engaged in fraudulent operations by soliciting investments for the development of an alleged cryptocurrency business.
Viado said that since 2015, the company headed by Kim was able to defraud over 3 billion won worth of investments from 253 victims, mostly in Seoul.
Viado said that Weon, aside from being wanted in Seoul for involvement in investment scams, is also an overstaying foreigner in the country.
He said Weon and his accomplices were able to defraud 14 victims of their money.
Both are detained at the BI custodial facility inside Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City until their deportation.
South Koreans topped the list of foreign fugitives arrested in the country in 2023 and 2024, with 39 nabbed in 2023, and 74 the following year.
