ANGELES, Pampanga — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested five South Korean nationals allegedly involved in multiple online fraud schemes, as part of its intensified enforcement operations under the Marcos Jr. administration.

In a statement, the BI said the arrests were carried out by its Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) on July 26 in coordination with Korean authorities, the Philippine Air Force in Northern Luzon, and the Clark Development Corporation.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the arrested individuals as Ham Seong Hwan, 38, and Kim Jongbaek, 21, who reportedly established a residence-based fraud operation inside the Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Two other South Koreans—Kim Taekyeong, 37, and Park Jinhyung, 36—were caught in the act while allegedly working in the same illegal operation.

Authorities said the criminal group operated various online fraud schemes, including fake hotel websites, bogus flight and tour offers, and impersonation of travel agents to lure travelers seeking luxury holidays. Park, who was identified as the head of the operation, was also found to have been overstaying since 2024.

On the same day, the BI-FSU also arrested another South Korean fugitive, Park Youngjun, 43, along Jose Abad Santos Avenue, also inside Clark Freeport Zone.

Park was tagged as an undesirable alien following an Interpol red notice issued against him based on a warrant from the Seongnam branch of the Suwon District Court for fraud. He allegedly created fraudulent accounts and subscription notifications on a major South Korean live-streaming platform, earning approximately 4.6 million Won, or over P190,000.

All five individuals are currently detained at the BI holding facility while undergoing deportation proceedings.