Philippines arrests South Korean national over alleged illegal online gambling
Enforcement & compliance1 min read
The Bureau of Immigration arrested South Korean national Ha Jonhoo in Pasay City on November 2 over alleged involvement in illegal online gambling, while South Korean authorities seek him. The bureau said he allegedly facilitated remote baccarat gambling for Korean clients from June 2019 to December 2020, involving 37 transactions worth about 154 million South Korean won, or US$114,000. Ha is being held pending deportation proceedings; the bureau said a deportation order would lead to his blacklisting in the Philippines.
Immigration authorities arrested South Korean national Ha Jonhoo, 46, at the Newport Complex in Pasay City on November 2, the Bureau of Immigration said. South Korean authorities are seeking Ha over alleged involvement in illegal online gambling.
The suspect reportedly acted as a junket agent, enabling Korean clients to play baccarat remotely from June 2019 to December 2020, the bureau said. The alleged operation included 37 transactions valued at approximately 154 million South Korean won, or US$114,000.
Immigration officers arrested Taiwanese national Yu Sheng Fu, 27, in Mandaue City on October 29 in a separate operation. He allegedly led a fraud syndicate operating in Manila, according to Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau. The group is accused of cheating more than 200 Taiwanese nationals out of over P200 million.
The agency will keep pursuing foreign nationals wanted for serious offences while respecting due process and the rule of law, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said. Both suspects are detained at the bureau’s facility in Taguig City pending deportation proceedings. Once deportation orders are issued, they will be blacklisted and barred from returning to the Philippines.