By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – Nine South Korean nationals allegedly involved in an online loan fraud scheme were arrested following a joint operation headed by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in Parañaque City.
In a news release on Thursday, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the operation was conducted on Wednesday evening and lasted until the early hours of Thursday.
The illegal activity was discovered when BI operatives, together with National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) personnel, implemented a mission order issued against two other foreign fugitives at a condominium unit in the city.
The nine South Korean nationals, aged between 29 and 31, were caught in the act of operating suspected scam platforms, the BI said.
Upon inspection, authorities found the individuals manning separate computer stations with pre-written scripts suspected to be used for fraudulent online lending transactions.
According to a representative from the South Korean government, the setup bore the hallmarks of an international online loan fraud operation targeting victims abroad.
“We are working in close coordination with local and international law enforcement agencies to ensure that the Philippines does not become a haven for cybercriminals,” Viado said.
“Foreign nationals found violating our laws — especially those involved in syndicated crime — will be located, apprehended, and deported without hesitation.”
The arrested individuals are temporarily detained at the NBI’s Organized and Transnational Crime Division and will be turned over to the BI Warden Facility after processing.
Viado said the operation is part of the Marcos administration’s broader effort to crack down on foreign nationals using the Philippines as a base for illicit activity.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has repeatedly emphasized the need to protect the country from transnational crimes and maintain strong border security.
Intercepted
Meanwhile, Viado also reported the interception of six more Filipino women who were forced to work in scam hubs in Cambodia.
He said the six attempted to depart at the Davao International Airport via a Philippine Airlines flight to Singapore on June 20.
The victims reportedly said they were recruited by a fellow Filipino through the social messaging platform Telegram under the pretense of legitimate employment as customer service representatives in Cambodia.
One of the victims recounted that they were all provided with fraudulent documents and a return ticket by the recruiter, and were instructed to present these documents as part of their travel papers.
The victim also said she paid PHP50,000 to the recruiter.
The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) provided assistance to the victims upon their turnover by BI officers. (PNA)
