Chinese fugitive wanted for telecom fraud nabbed

A Chinese national wanted by authorities in China for his alleged involvement in a telecommunications fraud syndicate was arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

BI Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) Chief Rendel Ryan Sy identified the fugitive as Chen Yongzhou, 39, who was arrested in Parañaque City on 14 October 2026.

The mission order was issued for Chen’s arrest following a request from the Chinese Embassy in Manila for his deportation to face criminal proceedings in China.

According to the embassy, Chen is the subject of a criminal detention warrant issued by the Xinzhan Branch of the Public Security Bureau in Hefei, China.

Chinese authorities alleged that Chen was involved in a telecommunications fraud syndicate that operated abroad from 2023 to 2024. The group allegedly used voice phishing to target victims in China and induce them to part with their money through fraudulent investment schemes.

“They allegedly used a website called ‘WeChat’ to make random voice calls and build relationships with victims under the guise of romance. They then persuaded victims to send gold to designated recharge points and invest in a fraudulent platform purportedly linked to the Shanghai Gold Exchange,” Sy said.

He added that the scheme allegedly caused victims to lose more than 4.73 million renminbi, equivalent to approximately US$706,000.

BI travel records showed that Chen last arrived in the Philippines in June 2018 as a tourist and had overstayed his authorized period of stay by the time of his arrest.

Chen is currently detained at the Parañaque City Jail in connection with a pending murder case before the Regional Trial Court in the city, which will proceed independently and separately from the deportation proceeding against him.

The BI said it will continue working with foreign counterparts to locate fugitives, enforce Philippine immigration laws, and facilitate appropriate legal action in accordance with established procedures. NEIL ALCOBER