Most wanted Korean national in South Korea, Chu Hoyong, is now in the custody of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) due to multiple fraud and investment scam cases.
The 35-year-old Korean national was arrested last Wednesday at his residence on Cruzada St., Makati City, during a Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) operation.
According to Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, the arrest was carried out based on a mission order issued upon the request of the South Korean government, which reported Chu’s illegal activities in the Philippines.
“Informed kami na bukod sa investment scams, siya rin ay sangkot sa telecommunications fraud na posibleng ipinapatupad niya habang naninirahan dito sa bansa,” (We have been informed that aside from investment scams, he is also involved in telecommunications fraud, which he may have been operating while residing in the country) said Viado.
Chu is facing two arrest warrants issued by South Korean courts, accusing him of fraudulent schemes that victimized numerous Korean nationals.
One warrant was issued by the Bukbu District Court in Seoul on April 12, 2022, for defrauding victims by offering worthless collateral for loans.
The total amount he allegedly acquired from victims reached 2.26 billion won, approximately $1.4 million.
Another warrant was issued in January 2023 by the Seoul District Court for a separate fraud case, in which he tricked victims into lending him over 76.4 million won (around $53,000) by falsely promising repayment through cryptocurrency.
According to BI-FSU chief Rendel Ryan Sy, Chu is considered a high-value target by South Korean authorities and is allegedly linked to telecom fraud syndicates operating in the Philippines.
Investigators tracked Chu through travel records, revealing that his last entry into the Philippines was on March 13, 2022, and he had overstayed.
Chu is currently detained at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, while deportation proceedings are underway.
The BI confirmed that once deported, Chu will be placed on the country’s immigration blacklist, permanently banning him from re-entering the Philippines.