The Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested four fugitives from China and South Korea who are all wanted for fraud in their country.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said three of those arrested are Chinese nationals nabbed during separate operations by agents from the bureau’s fugitive search unit (FSU) in Manila and Pasay.
They were identified as Lin Wengao, 41; Zhang Sen, 38; and Zhang Gaosheng, 39.
The BI chief said the Chinese authorities have issued separate warrants of arrest for their alleged involvement in economic crimes.
Citing information from the Chinese embassy in Manila, Morente said the trio conspired to forge a seal of a hospital in China as a result of which they managed to defraud their victims of nearly US$1.5 million.
Investigation revealed that the three aliens arrived separately in the country last year as tourists.
Meanwhile, Morente said Korean national Woo Yong Wook, 45, was arrested by FSU agents on Mabini Street in Malate, Manila.
Woo was ordered deported after the Korean authorities informed the BI that he is wanted for masterminding a fraudulent investment scheme wherein the victims lost US$867,000.
FSU Chief Bobby Raquepo said the four were the first batch of fugitives to be arrested in 2020.
In 2019, the BI arrested more than 400 alien fugitives hiding in the country. (Jun Ramirez)
