THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday announced the arrest of two high-profile Korean fugitives who are being pursued by authorities for their alleged involvement in illegal gambling operations across Asia.
The BI identified the suspects as Seo Hyemi, 38, and Park Unbae, 48.
Seo was arrested along Ayala Avenue, Makati City, while Park Unbae was captured along Teodoro Evangelista Street in Parañaque City, in separate operations by the BI-Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) last week.
Based on the information provided by Korean authorities to the BI, Seo is behind the operations of 23 online gambling platforms, including websites offering sports betting and casino-style games such as baccarat and Powerball.
She was the subject of an Interpol Red Notice issued in May 2025, following an arrest warrant from the Incheon District Court for violations of South Korea’s National Sports Promotion Act, including running unlicensed gambling websites and laundering proceeds.
The BI-FSU said Seo oversaw recruitment, managed player accounts, and promoted websites that catered to thousands of bettors.
She entered the Philippines in September 2021 as a temporary visitor and is already overstaying.
She is listed under both a BI blacklist and watchlist order.
On the other hand, Park is wanted by the Busan District Court and Eujeongbu District Court for setting up illegal gambling operations and violating the National Sports Promotion Act of South Korea.
An Interpol Red Notice was issued against him in August 2025.
According to authorities, Park and his accomplices operated a website that allows its users to place wagers on global sporting events, offering hundreds of games and processing winnings and payments.
Park arrived in the Philippines on March 31, 2023, and is also overstaying.
He is also listed under a BI blacklist and watchlist order.
Both fugitives were immediately transported to the BI Warden Facility in Bicutan, Taguig City, for booking, documentation, and verification, pending deportation proceedings.
‘These operations send a clear message: the Philippines is not a safe haven for foreign fugitives,’ BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said.