Immigration authorities have ordered the deportation of a South Korean fugitive wanted in Seoul for allegedly operating a call center that blackmails its victims by threatening to kill their families and illegally earning more than US$8 million (P400 million).
The Korean, identified as Jung Hyojin, fled to the Philippines three years ago after victimizing hundreds of his compatriots, the Bureau of Immigration said.
Jung was arrested in Malate by the bureau’s fugitive search unit and is now detained at the BI facility in Bicutan, Taguig City.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said Jung, who is the subject of an Interpol red notice, was issued three arrest warrants by the Seoul central district court, where he was indicted for organizing a fraud syndicate, an offense that carries a maximum jail term of 10 years.
“Like all the other wanted foreign criminals that we caught after hiding here to avoid prosecution, Jung will be deported to face trial in his homeland and receive punishment for his crimes,” Morente said. “His presence here poses a threat to public safety and security.”
Jung was also an overstaying and undocumented alien, as his passport was canceled by the Korean government, the immigration chief added.
BI intelligence officer and FSU chief Bobby Raquepo said Jung headed a criminal group from February 2013 to 2015 that defrauded its victims. The group operated a fraudulent call center, which made phone calls to victims who were coerced to give their money after being harassed and intimidated by callers who pretended to be police investigators.