SIX Koreans wanted by Seoul for alleged involvement in a cryptocurrency investment scam and larceny are facing deportation after being arrested in Alabang, Muntinlupa, and Pasay City by immigration officers.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said Ha Doogyun, 25; Kim Jung Ho, 25; Lee Sunyeob, 25; Kim Taemin, 26; and Yun Songwook, 22, were apprehended last November 16 during a raid on their residences in Alabang, Muntinlupa City by operatives from the bureau’s fugitive search unit.
The operation was carried out on the request of the South Korean government which sought the bureau’s help in locating and deporting the fugitives.
“They are also subjects of a red notice issued by the Interpol after they were criminally charged for fraud before the Seoul district court,” Viado said in a statement.
He said warrants for the Koreans’ arrest were issued last September 14.
The BI chief said information provided by their South Korean counterparts claimed the five have been running a large-scale fraud syndicate operating a bogus cryptocurrency website that has lured hundreds of victims to invest over four billion won, or about $2.9 million, in purported investment projects since last year.
The sixth arrested Korean, this time for larceny, was identified as 57-year-old Park Sukil.
Park was apprehended at the Newport Mall on Newport Boulevard in Pasay City.
Viado said Park was ordered deported by the BI in February 2015 for being an undesirable alien but managed to evade authorities.
The BI Interpol unit said Park is wanted for stealing construction materials worth more than 2.2 million won, or roughly $1,576.
All six Koreans are detained at the BI warden facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City awaiting deportation.
