A high-profile Chinese fugitive was recently arrested at a condominium unit in San Miguel, Manila along with 15 other Chinese nationals who were unable to present valid identification and immigration documents, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Monday.
The BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) implemented a raid with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) last Friday at a condominium along Casal Street.
The raid led to the arrest of a 38-year-old Chinese national who is wanted in his home country for major economic crimes.
The suspect is facing an active detention warrant issued by the Quanzhou Public Security Bureau in 2019. He allegedly embezzled more than CNY 3 million from a Chinese company while serving as its shareholder and legal representative.
The stolen funds were allegedly diverted for personal use, including investment purchases and credit card debt payments – acts considered as grave economic offenses under Chinese law.
The BI added that the place where the Chinese fugitive was arrested showed indicators of a suspected fraud syndicate, such as several gadgets and electronic devices consistent with online fraud or illicit digital operations.
During the raid, law enforcers also found 15 more Chinese nationals in the area who failed to present valid passports and legitimate immigration documents.
BI commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said they suspect that the place where the foreigners were nabbed is “a supplier of gadgets to be used by scam hubs.”
“This administration has zero tolerance for foreign criminals who treat the Philippines as a sanctuary. Through the expertise of our FSU operatives and the support of law-enforcement partners, we will continue to track, arrest, and remove fugitives and dismantle scam hubs that threaten our communities and national security,” Viado added.
All 16 Chinese nationals will face deportation cases for violating the country’s immigration law, and will remain in the BI’s custody until they are deported to China. — JMA, GMA Integrated News
