THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday announced the arrest of a South Korean fugitive in Angeles City, Pampanga, who is involved in a sophisticated telecommunications fraud scheme which has victimized numerous individuals.
The Korean, identified as 44-year-old Park Junhyeon, was arrested by agents of the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) in coordination with the National Police (PNP) and South Korean authorities on the evening of June 28 along MacArthur Highway in barangay Balibago, Angeles City.
Park’s arrest stemmed from an Interpol Red Notice issued against him on May 7, 2026 following the issuance of a warrant for his arrest by the Busan District Court in South Korea for fraud.
The foreigner is being accused of operating a fraudulent ‘no-show’ scam with several accomplices, posing as a businessman who promised to reimburse victims for goods purchased on his behalf.
Investigators said the scheme deceived seven victims through 24 fraudulent transactions, resulting in losses amounting to approximately KRW170 million or almost P7 million.
‘This arrest sends a clear message to foreign fugitives: the Philippines will never be a sanctuary for criminals fleeing justice,’ Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said.
‘Individuals who prey on innocent victims through deception and organized fraud have no place in our country. We will continue working closely with our international law enforcement partners to track them down and ensure they are held accountable,’ he added.
Based on the BI records, Park last entered the Philippines on December 12, 2025 as a temporary visitor and has since remained in the country despite the expiration of his authorized stay on June 9, 2026.
The Bureau also disclosed that Park’s passport had earlier come into the custody of its Angeles Field Office after a representative filed an application to extend his stay.
Authorities noted that Park did not personally appear during the processing of the application.
The BI confirmed that Park had already been placed on its watchlist as an undesirable alien owing to his status as a fugitive from justice.
The BI said the Korean will be detained at the BI’s Warden Facility pending deportation proceedings against him.