ANGELES CITY — A South Korean national wanted by Interpol and authorities in Seoul for orchestrating a massive telecommunications fraud syndicate was arrested by operatives of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in Pampanga.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the fugitive as Choi Hojun, 36, who was apprehended on April 14 at his residence in Barangay Sto. Domingo, Angeles City by members of the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU).
Records show Choi arrived in the Philippines on August 15, 2022 and has not departed since. A red notice from Interpol was issued in April 2024 following the release of an arrest warrant by a district court in Incheon, Seoul.
Viado said Choi, who had been hiding in the Philippines for over a year and a half to evade prosecution in South Korea, was arrested based on a mission order issued following a formal request from the South Korean government.
“Under the Bagong Pilipinas framework, we are strengthening our border control systems and ensuring that those fleeing justice abroad will find no refuge in the Philippines,” said Viado. “We will deport Choi immediately upon the issuance of his summary deportation order by the Board of Commissioners. He will likewise be blacklisted from re-entering the country.”
According to FSU Chief Rendel Ryan Sy, Choi led a voice phishing syndicate that defrauded victims by illegally accessing sensitive banking information. The group is believed to have caused losses amounting to 1.73 billion Korean won, or roughly ₱70 million.
The Korean is currently detained at the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig pending deportation proceedings.
