Two Chinese nationals wanted by authorities in China for alleged involvement in large-scale fraud and illegal online gambling operations were arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in Parañaque City, while another Chinese national was apprehended for overstaying during the same operation.

The BI identified the arrested fugitives as Jiang Yin, 31, and Li Chuang, 34.

The operations were conducted in coordination with Chinese authorities, who provided intelligence information regarding the suspects' alleged criminal activities.

During the operation targeting Li, immigration agents also encountered Wang Weixin, 32, another Chinese national whose immigration records showed he had overstayed in the Philippines and was the subject of an active Hold Departure Order.

According to the BI, Jiang and Li are wanted by Chinese police for their alleged participation in large-scale fraud and the illegal operation of online gambling activities through the "Qianneng Wallet" application.

Chinese investigators alleged that the application was operated by a criminal syndicate that recruited Chinese nationals to facilitate illegal online gambling operations.

Authorities also identified Jiang and Li as key members of two illegal gambling syndicates, where they allegedly served as supervisors and markers responsible for extending gambling credit and facilitating betting activities.

Immigration records showed that Jiang entered the Philippines in 2019 as a temporary visitor but failed to maintain a valid immigration status, making him an overstaying foreign national.

Verification also confirmed that Li was already under existing BI blacklist and watchlist orders as an undesirable alien and a fugitive from justice.

"Our message is clear: the Philippines will never be a refuge for foreign fugitives or members of transnational criminal syndicates," Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said.

"Those who exploit our immigration system to evade prosecution abroad or engage in illegal activities will be located, arrested, and deported. We will continue strengthening our cooperation with international law enforcement partners to ensure that criminals have no place to hide," he added.

The three Chinese nationals were taken to the BI's holding facility following booking and documentation procedures.

Jiang and Li will undergo deportation proceedings for being fugitives from justice and for violating Philippine immigration laws, while Wang will face separate immigration proceedings for overstaying.