6 South Koreans nabbed for alleged crypto currency scam, larceny

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MANILA, Philippines — Six South Koreans, wanted for their involvement in a cryptocurrency investment scam and larceny, were apprehended in separate operations conducted by local authorities.

In a statement, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado on Sunday identified the offenders as Ha Doogyun, 25; Kin Jung Ho, 25; Lee Sunyeob, 25; Kim Taemin, 26;  Yun Songwook, 22; and Park Sukil, 57.

Viado reported that Doogyun, Jung Ho, Sunyeob, Taemin and Songwook were arrested on Saturday, November 16 during a raid conducted at their residence in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Authorities alleged that the Koreans were operating a large-scale fraud syndicate through a bogus cryptocurrency website.

Since 2023, the scheme reportedly lured hundreds of victims into investing over four billion won, or approximately 2.9 million US dollars, in fraudulent investment projects.

“They are also subjects of red notices issued by the Interpol after they were criminally charged for fraud before the Seoul district court,” the BI commissioner added.

A warrant of arrest for the Koreans was also issued by the same court on September 14 this year, according to Viado.

Meanwhile, the BI arrested Sukil on Friday, November 15 at the Newport Mall in Pasay City for larceny.

“Park is wanted for stealing construction materials worth more than 2.2 million won, or roughly 1,576 US dollars,” Viado said.

The BI also disclosed that Sukil had been previously ordered deported in February 2015 for being classified as an undesirable alien.

All six Koreans are currently detained at the BI warden facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City as they await deportation proceedings.

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