Korean telecom fraud ‘crime boss’ nabbed in Cavite

A Korean allegedly involved in telecommunications fraud in South Korea and the Philippines has been arrested in Cavite.

According to John Consulta's report on "24 Oras," Lee Yong-Myeong was nabbed in a joint operation by the Bureau of Immigration - Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU), Cavite police, and Korean police.

Lee is said to be the crime boss in South Korea when it comes to telecommunications fraud.

“Napakahalaga na mahuli natin itong mga lider ng mga telecom fraud syndicate na dito namumugad sa Pilipinas. 'Yung mga modus nila, nao-obserbahan na nga natin na may mga Pilipino na rin silang nabibiktima,” said BI-FSU Chief Rendel Sy.

(It is important to nab the leaders of these telecom fraud syndicates that go here in the Philippines. We have observed that some Filipinos fall victim to their modus operandi.)

Lee has been based in the Philippines since 2016 but the BI said he could have other cohorts behind the illegal scheme which targets Filipinos and Koreans.

“May setup sila ng opisina. 'Yung mga tao nila ay nagtatawag sa kanilang mga biktima, ine-entice na mag-invest sa kanilang negosyo, o mag-apply ng loan, or bumili ng cryptocurrency. Dito sila nakakakuha ng malaking pera,” Sy said.

(They have an office setup and their personnel call their victims. They entice them to invest, apply for loans, or buy cryptocurrency. This is where they get the money.)

Asked for a comment on the allegations against him, Lee said: “I don’t know”.

The BI-FSU said they are conducting a follow-up operation to arrest the other members of Lee's alleged syndicate. —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA Integrated News