MANILA, Philippines — A South Korean national wanted in his country who was also issued a red notice by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) was arrested in Mactan, Cebu, the Bureau of Immigration said.
In an incident report Sunday, the BI said that Kang Hyeunok, 32, was arrested in Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City, by members of the BI’s fugitive search unit (FSU) on August 14.
The South Korean national is wanted in his country for his involvement in telecommunications fraud, according to BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco.
He said Kang was arrested following a deportation warrant issued against the fugitive in October 2021, which ordered his expulsion from the country for being an undesirable alien.
The BI also said that the Korean had been overstaying in the country for more than four years, as records show that he last arrived here in July 2019 and has not left since then.
“He is also subject of a red notice from Interpol, which stemmed from the issuance of a warrant of arrest against him by the Suwon district court in Korea on Sept. 13, 2019,” Tansingco said.
According to the BI official, authorities alleged that Kang heads a voice-phishing syndicate that has operated since 2017 and has already defrauded its victims of more than US$840,000 (P47.26 million).
The syndicate’s telemarketers reportedly disguised themselves as bankers and managed to induce victims into revealing personal information that they used to defraud and gain illegal profits, he said.
Kang is now tagged as an undocumented alien after his passport has been canceled and is currently detained at the BI warden facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, while awaiting deportation.
