MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested a Chinese national allegedly operating a residence-based cryptocurrency investment scam in Parañaque City.

BI fugitive search unit (FSU) agents, in coordination with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Regional Field Unit National Capital Region and the Department of Justice Office of Cybercrime, identified the suspect as Liu Feng, 41.

Liu was arrested inside a condominium unit along Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard in Barangay Tambo after being caught operating a workstation suspected of facilitating the online scam.

According to intelligence reports received by the BI, another Chinese national—initially the subject of the investigation—was running the fraud operation with several cohorts.

Authorities also found that Liu had been working without a permit and had overstayed in the country, failing to extend his visa since October 2024.

Liu is currently in CIDG custody for further investigation after suspected drug paraphernalia were recovered from his workstation.

He will also face deportation proceedings and, once deported, will be banned from re-entering the Philippines, the BI said.