Pasig City- The Bureau of Immigration (BI), through its Fugitive Search Unit (FSU), arrested a South Korean national wanted for large-scale fraud by authorities in Seoul.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the fugitive as Jun Hwanhwi, 45, who was apprehended along Sapphire Street, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.
The operation was conducted by BI-FSU agents in coordination with South Korean authorities, the Philippine National Police – Anti-Cybercrime Group Cyber Patrolling and Intelligence Unit, the Eastern Police District’s District Intelligence Division, and government intelligence forces.
The arrest was carried out pursuant to a warrant of deportation issued in 2021 after the subject was tagged as an undesirable alien for posing a risk to public safety and security.
An Interpol Red Notice was issued against the fugitive following an arrest warrant released by the Gwangju District Court in connection with charges of fraud under South Korea’s Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes.
According to reports from the South Korean government, the subject allegedly orchestrated a large-scale investment scam in 2018. He first persuaded a victim to invest in bonds, defrauding approximately KRW 500 million in two separate transactions.
He was said to have later convinced the same victim to co-purchase stocks, swindling an additional KRW 200 million. In the succeeding months, he allegedly extracted another KRW 268 million in multiple installments by falsely claiming urgent funds were needed for a sibling’s medical treatment. Total losses exceeded KRW 900 million.
Viado stressed that the case reflects a deliberate pattern of deception involving substantial financial damage.
“Foreign nationals who engage in large-scale financial fraud and attempt to evade accountability by hiding in the Philippines will be located, arrested, and deported,” warned Viado.
Hwanhwi was transferred to the Bureau of Immigration Warden Facility pending deportation proceedings. #
