Notorious Korean scammer nabbed in Mandaluyong

Korean fugitive Park Voram (Photo courtesy of BI)

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) has recently arrested in a Mandaluyong City hotel a notorious South Korean scammer who is wanted for phishing — use of fraudulent phone calls to trick people into giving money or revealing personal information — in his country.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente identified the arrested Korean national as Park Voram, 39, an undocumented alien wanted for fraud in violation of Article 347-(1) of the Criminal Act of Korea.

“The fugitive’s arrest shows that despite the pandemic, we are serious in our drive to locate, arrest, and deport these illegal aliens. We will not allow these undesirable aliens to hide here to avoid facing responsibility for their crimes,” he said in a statement.

FSU chief Rendel Sy said they received information from South Korea of the fugitive’s standing arrest warrant issued by the Gwangju District Court. The arrest was effected through coordinated efforts by Filipino and Korean authorities.

Park is a member of a large-scale voice phishing organization whose elements deceived thousands of victims by pretending to be loan officers of financial institutions.

Damages attributed to Park reportedly amount to over 4 billion Korean won or more than P171 million. He is temporarily detained at the BI’s Warden Facility in Bicutan, Taguig pending his deportation.