Two Korean fugitives arrested in Mabalacat, Pampanga — Wanted for 11 billion won investment scam and phone phishing

📌 On September 1, two Korean men, aged 30 and 29, who were wanted in South Korea on fraud charges, were arrested separately by the Bureau of Immigration's Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) in Mabalacat, Pampanga.
One of them is tagged as the mastermind of a Phnom Penh-based scam syndicate that raised about 11 billion won by posing as an "investment expert," and both are awaiting deportation (repatriation to South Korea).

■ Case Details
· Arrested in two separate operations in Mabalacat City on September 1 (Tuesday)
· Operation conducted in close coordination with the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA)
· Bureau of Immigration announced the arrests on September 7

■ Arrested Individuals
· 30-year-old male — Identified as the leader of a proxy (dummy) account fraud syndicate based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Allegedly posed as an investment expert, tricking victims into depositing approximately 11 billion won. Entered the Philippines in January 2025
· 29-year-old male — Subject to an arrest warrant issued by the Seoul Central District Court for telecommunications financial fraud (voice phishing-style). Entered the Philippines in March 2016 and stayed for about 10 years

■ Current Status
· Both men are detained at the BI Warden Facility in Taguig City, awaiting the execution of their deportation orders

■ Notice for Expats and Travelers
· Members of scam syndicates from other countries, such as Cambodia, sometimes relocate to the Philippines to hide. Be suspicious of any communications demanding money transfers while promoting themselves as "investment experts."
· Arrests of Korean fugitives are continuing in the Angeles, Clark, and Mabalacat areas. If an acquaintance you share a residence or job with is a fugitive, you could be investigated alongside them during a raid.
· If you have fallen victim to an investment scam, report it to the Korean Police (112) or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Consular Call Center (+82-2-3210-0404).

■ Source
Philippine Bureau of Immigration announcement (9/7) (Verified from 1 source)