A Korean wanted by South Korean authorities for large-scale fraud was arrested in Pasay City last Friday, the Bureau of Immigration announced yesterday.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said Nam Sungjin, 53, was taken into custody by operatives of the agency’s Fugitive Search Unit at around 8 a.m. last following “close coordination with the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Korea and the Philippine National Police.”
Viado said Nam is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Changwon District Court, Miryang Branch in South Korea in 2024 for violating Article 347-(1) of the Korean Criminal Act, which covers fraud.
“Foreign fugitives attempting to use the Philippines as a safe haven will be located and deported. Under President Marcos’ Bagong Pilipinas vision, we are strengthening our systems to ensure national security and uphold justice,” Viado added.
Citing information provided by Korean authorities, Viado said Nam allegedly posed as a businessman operating businesses in his country and the Philippines to deceive unsuspecting victims.
One of the victims reportedly transferred more than P400 million to his bank account in 2022 as a financial investment, with Nam allegedly using the money to pay off personal debts instead of investing it.
Nam is currently detained at the BI warden’s facility in Bicutan, Taguig City.
“Deportation proceedings will follow,” the BI chief added.
Koreans topped the list of foreign fugitives arrested in the country in 2023 and 2024, with 39 and 74, respectively.
