ANGELES CITY — Twelve Korean nationals are now in Bureau of Immigration custody following a raid on a suspected scam hub along Poinsettia Street here on February 25, the BI announced last March 6 after completing the booking and transfer of all subjects to Manila.
The operation was launched after the BI’s Intelligence Division–Special Response Team (ID-SRT) received and validated information that 33-year-old Korean national Yu Jaemin was running a scam operation targeting fellow Koreans and possibly other foreign nationals.
Operatives first placed the area under surveillance and observed Yu leaving his residence before proceeding to the Poinsettia Street office. When they entered the premises, they found eleven other Korean nationals seated at individual workstations, each actively operating digital equipment. The BI said the setup — designated work areas, ongoing digital activity, and the overall layout of the office — was consistent with scam operations the agency has encountered in previous enforcement actions.
All 12 were immediately taken in for identity and immigration verification. Checks revealed that three of the individuals have existing derogatory records and are considered fugitives from justice. Several others were found to be overstaying their visas in violation of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, as amended. The BI coordinated with both PNP Pampanga and PNP Angeles City ahead of the operation to ensure its orderly conduct.
As enforcement was underway, a separate Korean national arrived at the premises and identified himself as the lessor or manager of the property. He attempted to interfere with the operation and told BI agents he had been sent by Korean authorities. The BI contacted the South Korean government directly to verify the claim. It was false — no such representation had been made by Korean authorities. Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the agency is now investigating the man’s background and his possible connection to the operation.
All 12 subjects were transported to Manila following the raid and are currently held at the BI Warden’s facility while their deportation cases are processed.
“We will not allow organized fraud syndicates to exploit our communities and use Philippine territory as a base for criminal operations,” Viado said. “Our intelligence and enforcement units will continue to act decisively, in full coordination with law enforcement partners, to ensure that foreign nationals who violate our laws are arrested and removed.”
The BI released information on the operation on March 6 — nine days after the February 25 raid. This is standard BI procedure: the agency typically withholds public announcements until all subjects have been transferred, booked, and documented at the Manila facility to avoid disrupting ongoing enforcement activity or alerting associates who may still be at large.
PampangaToday will report on the outcome of the deportation proceedings and the investigation into the individual who interfered with the operation.
Photo: Bureau of Immigration / DOJ