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Bureau of Immigration Official with 37-year-old Lee Jonghak, who was apprehended on the morning of April 14, 2026.
Bureau of Immigration / Released
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said it arrested a South Korean national wanted by international authorities for allegedly spearheading a large-scale illegal online gambling network.
The suspect, identified as 37-year-old Lee Jonghak, was arrested on the morning of April 14 at his residence in Pamplona Dos, Las Piñas City, according to a Bureau of Immigration (BI) statement issued on Sunday, April 19.
The operation was carried out by the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) in coordination with the Korean National Police Agency and the Philippine National Police–Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group.
According to the BI, Lee is the subject of an Interpol Red Notice issued in 2025, stemming from an arrest warrant released by the Incheon District Court that same year for alleged violations of South Korea’s National Sports Promotion Act related to illegal online gambling operations.
Investigations by Korean law enforcement revealed that Lee and his cohorts managed a network of at least 23 illegal online gambling platforms starting in August 2021.
The bureau said the group reportedly generated over KRW 5.33 billion (P217,632,007.46) in direct profits. Authorities estimate the syndicate’s total cumulative earnings exceeded KRW 350 billion (P14,291,032,385).
Within the organization, Lee reportedly served as an assistant manager, supervising multiple operational teams composed of around 300 employees.
Bureau records show that Lee last entered the Philippines in 2024 and was initially admitted under a probationary permanent resident visa.
However, following the emergence of his criminal record and fugitive status, he was included in the bureau’s blacklist and watchlist as an undesirable alien.
