Five South Koreans Caught Operating Fake Cryptocurrency Website in the Philippines

Five Korean Fugitives Arrested for Running Multi-Million Dollar Crypto Scam

A large-scale cryptocurrency fraud ring, operating through a fake website, has been dismantled in Muntinlupa, a city in the southern part of Metro Manila, Philippines.

Authorities recently arrested five South Korean nationals for their involvement in the operation, which allegedly scammed hundreds of victims into investing over four billion won, roughly $2.9 million, since last year.

How Were the Suspects Caught?

The five fugitives—Ha Doogyun (25), Kim Jung Ho (25), Lee Sunyeob (25), Kim Taemin (26), and Yun Songwook (22)—were apprehended on 16 November 2024 in their residence in Alabang, a district located in the city of Muntinlupa.

They had been wanted for their role in defrauding investors through a fraudulent cryptocurrency website that promised high returns but delivered nothing.

The South Korean government, upon learning of their whereabouts, called upon the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to take action.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado confirmed that the authorities would assist in deporting the suspects back to South Korea, where they face charges of fraud.

The case had already attracted international attention, with an Interpol red notice issued after a district court in Seoul authorised an arrest warrant for the group on 14 September 2024.

Another Arrest in Pasay – Who is Park Sukil?

In a separate incident, the Bureau of Immigration arrested Park Sukil, a 57-year-old Korean fugitive, on 15 November 2024, in Pasay.

Park had been evading authorities for years, allegedly involved in a larceny case in which he stole construction materials worth more than 2.2 million won (around $1,576).

Park's actions prompted a deportation order back in February 2015, when he was deemed an undesirable alien.

Presently, all six Koreans are held at the BI facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig.

An Indonesian Drug Courier Attempting to Enter the Philippines

Meanwhile, an Indonesian man, Muhammad Nur, was denied entry at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on 27 November 2024.

The 49-year-old had flown in from Bangkok on an AirAsia flight, only to be flagged by Interpol.

Lao authorities had previously discovered illegal drugs concealed in his luggage during an inspection before he departed for Manila.

Nur was promptly sent back to Bangkok, where he originated his journey.