The arrested foreigners under BI custody. (BI image) BUREAU of Immigration (BI) operatives arrested 19 foreign nationals wanted for a myriad of crimes involving drug trafficking and a call center fraud during a joint operation with the Royal Thai Police in Muntinlupa City Thursday, June 14.

The foreigners were caught operating an illegal call center in Posadas village in Barangay Sucat, Muntinlupa City.

Sixteen of the arrested are undocumented Thai nationals, BI Fugitive Search Unit Chief Bobby Raquepo said in a report to BI Commissioner Jaime Morente.

“We received information from the Royal Thai Police that they are fugitives from justice and a part of a large-scale criminal syndicate that have been operating an illegal call center in the country,” Morente said in a statement issued Friday.

“They have amassed millions of Thai Baht by committing fraud and victimizing Thai people in the Philippines,” Morente said.

The syndicate initially operated in Cambodia and Malaysia before expanding their operations to the Philippines, according to the report of Raquepo.

The passports of the 16 Thais have already been revoked by the Thai government, BI spokesperson Dana Krizia Sandoval said.

Three Taiwanese nationals were also arrested during the operation, Sandoval said.

Reports from Taiwanese authorities reveal that the ring leader, known only by his alias Wu Chang Long, is a fugitive from justice wanted for drug trafficking.

“Let this serve as a warning to other foreign nationals who plan on conducting their illegalities in the Philippines,” said Morente. “We will not allow foreign criminals to use our country as their venue for their illegal activities.”

The arrested foreigners will undergo inquest proceedings, and will be detained at the BI detention facility in Taguig City pending their deportation.

TAGS 19 foreigners in call center fraud arrested

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