The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported Wednesday the arrest of a Chinese man suspected of money laundering for illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
BI Commissioner Atty. Joel Anthony Viado identified the suspect as Wang Zhouyu, who was arrested last 4 March along Roberts Street in Pasay City by the BI Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU).
Viado said Wang is considered an undesirable alien after Chinese authorities notified the BI that he had an arrest warrant issued by the Qinhuangdao Public Security Bureau for fraud, in violation of Article 82 of the PRC Criminal Procedure Law, dated 18 February 2024.
Chinese authorities said Wang and his associates formed a network involved in money laundering operations, collaborating with fraud organizations in mainland China, to expedite the movement of funds from illegal earnings.
Foreign authorities traced financial transactions totaling CNY 19 million, connected to 23 criminal cases.
Wang allegedly aided illegal POGO businesses and scam hubs in the Philippines by laundering money. He is being held at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, pending deportation proceedings.
Meanwhile, the BI has initiated a manhunt for a South Korean man wanted for fraud in his home country.
The suspect was identified as Na Ikhyeon, who is wanted in South Korea for involvement in a fraudulent investment scheme.
South Korean authorities disclosed that Na deceived his countrymen by encouraging them to invest in fictitious accounts. He and his partners then withdrew the investments.
Na was arrested by the BI on 31 May 2023, and detained at the BI’s detention facility for deportation. However, deportation was postponed until the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office ruled on an estafa complaint filed by a Filipina.
The complainant, a jewelry business owner, said Na consigned jewelry items as an agent but failed to remit the full sales amount.
On 4 March, Na evaded authorities by using a courthouse restroom during a hearing.
Viado ordered a manhunt for the suspect, who fled despite the presence of his counsel.
“We are also looking into whether his attorney was aware of this prearranged incident. We have assigned a special tracker team to locate him and take him back into custody,” Viado said.
The BI chief said the tracker team has solid information on the suspect. Criminal charges will be filed against those who aided Na.