PAMPANGA – In a significant development, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) successfully apprehended a South Korean national who had been sought by authorities for his involvement in telecommunications fraud in his home country.
The arrest, conducted by the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) in Mabalacat City, Pampanga, has garnered attention due to the extensive efforts required to locate the fugitive.
The arrested suspect has been identified as 35-year-old Korean national Kang Hee Woo, according to a statement released by Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco.
Woo had been the subject of a summary deportation order issued by the BI Board of Commissioners back in 2018, following notification from South Korean authorities about his alleged crimes.
Commissioner Tansingco remarked, “It took almost five years of intensive manhunt and surveillance operations before we were able to arrest him. This serves as a warning to other foreign fugitives seeking refuge in the Philippines. The long arm of the law will eventually catch up with you, regardless of your whereabouts.”
Additionally, it has come to light that Kang Hee Woo was the target of an Interpol red notice issued in 2021.
The Interpol’s National Central Bureau (NCB) in Manila revealed that Kang had been issued separate arrest warrants by the Seoul Central District Court and Seoul Dongbu Central District Court for his alleged involvement in telecom fraud. Kang is accused of holding a high-ranking position within the Youngjae-Han telecom fraud syndicate, which is suspected of defrauding victims of over 1 million won, equivalent to approximately US$740,000.
The syndicate allegedly carried out voice phishing operations, making random calls to their victims in Korea to carry out their fraudulent activities.
At present, Kang Hee Woo is in custody at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, pending deportation. He has been placed on the Bureau’s blacklist, with a prohibition on re-entry into the Philippines. This arrest demonstrates the commitment of Philippine authorities to collaborate with international counterparts in addressing transnational crimes.
