The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has apprehended five South Korean nationals wanted by authorities in their home country for involvement in a large-scale cryptocurrency investment scam. BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado confirmed that the individuals were arrested on November 16 during a raid on their residences in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, by the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU).
The arrested suspects are Ha Doogyun, 25; Kim Jung Ho, 25; Lee Sunyeob, 25; Kim Taemin, 26; and Yun Songwook, 22. A warrant for their arrest was issued by a South Korean court on September 14, 2024. The suspects are accused of running a fraudulent cryptocurrency website that has deceived hundreds of victims, accumulating over 4 billion won (approximately US$2.9 million) in fake investments since 2023.
In addition, a separate arrest was made on November 15. Park Sukil, 57, a Korean national wanted for larceny, was apprehended by FSU operatives at Newport Mall, Pasay City. Park, who had been ordered deported by the BI in February 2015, is accused of stealing construction materials valued at 2.2 million won (roughly US$1,576).
All six Korean nationals are currently detained at the BI warden facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, awaiting deportation back to South Korea.
