MANILA — Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers arrested a Chinese national wanted by authorities in his home country for fraud after he attempted to extend his visa at the agency’s headquarters in Intramuros.

The suspect, identified as Sun Jianqing, 30, presented his passport for the extension of his temporary visitor’s visa on December 9, according to BI tourist visa section chief Raymond Remigio. Sun has been staying in the Philippines for about nine months after arriving on February 23.

Frontline BI officers discovered that Sun’s name appeared on the agency’s list of wanted criminals. He is the subject of a blacklist order issued earlier this year after Chinese authorities informed the BI of his alleged involvement in criminal activities.

Records showed that a detention warrant was issued against Sun by the Liangqing Branch of the Nanning Municipal Public Security Bureau on June 16, 2025, for telecommunication fraud in violation of Chinese laws.

Sun is alleged to be a member of a telecommunication fraud syndicate involved in large-scale scams operating under the guise of an investment and financial management company that specifically targeted Chinese citizens.

After verification of his identity, Sun was immediately arrested by the BI’s fugitive search unit and brought to the agency’s holding facility following booking and medical procedures.

“We will not allow these scammers and fraudsters to use the Philippines to hide liability from their crimes,” BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco Viado said. “We will continue working with our counterparts abroad to be able to swiftly locate and arrest these fugitives,” he added.

Once deported, Sun’s name will be included in the BI’s blacklist, effectively barring him from re-entering the Philippines.