South Korean fugitive posing as Filipino arrested in Batangas

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MANILA, Philippines — A South Korean fugitive who allegedly posed as a Filipino using fake documents has been arrested in Batangas, the Bureau of Immigration said Thursday, March 5.

Immigration authorities said Kim Yong Cheol, 62, was arrested on March 4 along the Tagaytay–Nasugbu Highway in Barangay Niyugan.

The arrest followed a mission order issued after complaints that Kim had been living in the country under a stolen identity.

Investigators alleged Kim had been posing as a Filipino citizen using falsified civil registry records and a fraudulent Philippine passport.

Interpol notice. The case gained urgency in February, when Interpol issued a Red Notice against Kim at the request of South Korean authorities.

He is wanted in South Korea in connection with a 2009 investment scam that allegedly defrauded victims of more than 1 billion Korean won (about P39.8 million).

Kim allegedly lured investors by claiming his Philippine-based company operated profitable businesses, including gaming firms, travel agencies and online shopping platforms.

He also promised returns ranging from 250% to 450%, investigators said.

Overstay, deportation

Immigration officials said Kim originally entered the Philippines as a temporary visitor in 2009 but never applied for a visa extension or changed his immigration status.

Besides having criminal record abroad, Kim has been classified as an overstaying alien and was already the subject of a Watchlist and Blacklist Order for being an undesirable fugitive.

Kim is now being held by the Bureau of Immigration while authorities process his deportation to South Korea, where he will face the pending charges.