BI Arrests Taiwanese and South Korean Fugitives in Fraud and Illegal Gambling Cases

What happened

In separate operations, the Bureau of Immigration nabbed two fugitives tied to fraud and illegal online gambling. The suspects are Yu Sheng Fu, 27, from Taiwan, and Ha Jonhoo, 46, from South Korea. Yu was picked up in Mandaue City on October 29, and Ha was arrested in Pasay City on November 2. Both are currently detained at BI’s facility in Taguig City while deportation proceedings move forward.

Yu Sheng Fu: Fraud allegations

Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau says Yu allegedly led a fraud ring that operated in Manila, targeting more than 200 Taiwanese nationals and swindling them out of over P200 million.

Ha Jonhoo: Junket operator linked to illegal online gambling

South Korean authorities accuse Ha of involvement in an illegal online gambling operation. BI notes that Ha worked as a junket agent, arranging remote baccarat for Korean clients from June 2019 to December 2020. The scheme reportedly comprised 37 transactions totaling about 154 million South Korean won (roughly US$114,000).

Detention, deportation, and blacklist

Both men remain in BI’s custody in Taguig City as deportation proceeds. Once deportation orders are issued, they will be blacklisted, preventing them from returning to the Philippines.

BI’s stance

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado emphasized that arrests like these show the bureau’s commitment to keeping the Philippines a hostile ground for fugitives. The agency says it will continue pursuing foreign nationals wanted for serious crimes while upholding due process and the rule of law.

Source

GMA News