THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested a South Korean national wanted in his home country for allegedly defrauding a victim of P400 million through a fake investment scheme.
Nam Sungjin, 53, was apprehended last Friday morning by the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit in Pasay City.
South Korean authorities allege that Nam, posing as a businessman with enterprises in both South Korea and the Philippines, convinced a victim to transfer the substantial sum into his bank account in 2022 under the pretense of a lucrative investment.
Instead of investing the funds, Nam allegedly used the money to settle personal debts. This led to the issuance of an arrest warrant by the Changwon District Court, Miryang Branch, in South Korea on fraud charges.
Following his arrest, Nam is currently detained at the BI detention facility in Taguig City, awaiting deportation proceedings.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado emphasized the bureau’s commitment to apprehending and deporting foreign fugitives seeking refuge in the Philippines. “Foreign fugitives attempting to use the Philippines as a safe haven will be located and deported,” Viado stated.
He further highlighted the arrest as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to national security and justice under President Marcos’ “Bagong Pilipinas” vision. The case underscores the BI’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its systems for identifying and apprehending individuals wanted for crimes committed abroad.
