MANILA — A 52-year-old South Korean wanted in his country for defrauding many of his compatriots of more than USD500,000 five years ago, is set to be deported by the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente identified the foreigner as Choi Youngseop, who was arrested on Friday in the vicinity of the Resorts World Hotel and Casino along Newport Blvd. in Pasay City by operatives of the bureau’s fugitive search unit (FSU).
The suspect is currently detained at the BI detention facility in Bicutan.
He added that the Korean has been on the BI’s wanted list for almost five years since the BI board of commissioners ordered his summary deportation order for being an undesirable alien.
“He is also an overstaying and undocumented alien as he never bothered to extend his stay since he arrived in Manila in July 2013,” said Morente in a statement Monday.
He added that Choi’s passport was already cancelled by the South Korean government.
The summary deportation order issued by the BI board states that “Choi’s presence in the country is unwanted and undesirable as he poses a risk to public interest.”
FSU chief Bobby Raquepo disclosed that the Korean national was ordered expelled in 2014 after the Interpol in Seoul, through the South Korean embassy in Manila, sought his deportation so he could stand trial in his country.
He said Choi was charged with large-scale fraud for victimizing many Koreans who were enticed to invest their money after being promised with high returns.
“Instead, he absconded with the money, amounting to more than USD550,000 and fled to the Philippines,” the BI intelligence officer added.
Lawyer Antonette Bucasas- Mangrobang, the BI spokesperson, said Choi has been placed on the immigration blacklist to prevent him from re-entering the Philippines.
She added that the bureau is now securing the required clearances and his travel document from the Korean embassy to facilitate his immediate departure for South Korea. (PNA)
