Philippines arrests Chinese fugitives linked to crypto, love scams posing as POGO?

Jenny Ortiz September 16, 2024

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Philippines arrests Chinese fugitives linked to crypto, love scams posing as POGO?

The Philippines Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced the arrest of four Chinese fugitives involved in various crimes, including fraud and illegal business, as part of an intensified crackdown on foreign criminal operations in the country.

The arrested individuals, identified as Wei Hanbing, 33; Wang Bo, 32; Wang Zhaoshan, 37; and Guo Dong, 26, were apprehended on August 31 by immigration authorities in collaboration with the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO). These suspects were among several foreigners caught during a raid on a cryptocurrency investment and love scam hub in Para?aque City on August 22. The establishment was reportedly posing as a licensed Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) to cover its illicit activities.?

Wanted for crimes in China

According to a statement from BI Officer-in-Charge Joel Anthony Viado, the four Chinese nationals are facing charges in their home country. Wei Hanbing is wanted for concealing income-related crimes, while Wang Bo and Wang Zhaoshan are sought for fraud. Guo Dong is accused of engaging in illegal business practices. Information provided by the Chinese government has been critical in identifying these individuals, who are now detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, awaiting deportation.

Additional foreign fugitives captured

In separate operations, two more foreign fugitives were arrested by the bureau’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU). On September 5, Taiwanese national Wu Hsih Hsu, 53, was apprehended at the BI head office in Intramuros. Wu has been on the run since 2005 when a Taiwanese court issued a warrant for his arrest on rape charges. Immigration authorities also found that Wu had overstayed in the Philippines for over 20 years.?

Another Chinese national, Zhang Xi, 38, was arrested on September 8 along Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard in Para?aque City. Zhang is wanted by both the Chinese government and Interpol for leading a cybercrime syndicate that remotely hacked over 4,200 computers in China, generating over CNY 7 million through illegal activities. Zhang’s group allegedly used a computer virus to steal personal information from victims to commit fraud.?