Immigration bureau nabs 2 foreigners for fraud

(INQUIRER file photo / ALEXIS CORPUZ)

MANILA, Philippines — Two foreigners were apprehended in separate operations conducted by local authorities early this week, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Thursday.

According to BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, those arrested were a Korean and a Japanese who will be facing charges for fraud and deported to their countries.

The Korean was identified as Hwang Seongbin, 34, while the Japanese was Sasaki Yohei, 36.

The BI reported that Hwang was arrested on September 30 in Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City, while Sasaki was nabbed in Bahay Toro, Quezon City.

“Hwang, who is the subject of an Interpol red notice and a warrant of arrest from the Eujeong district court in Korea, is reportedly wanted for his involvement in a stock investment scam he allegedly perpetrated during his stint as president of a financial institution,” the BI said in a statement on Thursday.

The Korean was also accused of convincing victims to invest in a scam that led to combined losses of 100 million won, equivalent to over $75,000, the BI added.

Meanwhile, Sasaki has an active warrant of arrest from the Omiya summary court in Saitama, Japan.

“He was charged for defrauding an elderly victim in a nursing home where he worked as a staff member,” the BI stated.

According to a report, the Japanese allegedly lured the victim to invest over 3 million Japanese yen in a fake contract-related transaction.

“The Japanese man is an alleged member of a Cambodia-based telecom fraud syndicate engaged in kidnapping, illegal detention, extortion and fraud,” they added.

Both foreigners are currently detained at the BI warden facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City as deportation proceedings are ongoing, the BI said.