MANILA: A Chinese national wanted in China for allegedly being involved in a telecommunications fraud syndicate was arrested in Parañaque City, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported on Monday (Nov 2).
In a statement, the BI identified the Chinese fugitive as Chen Yongzhou, 39.
According to BI Fugitive Search Unit Chief Rendel Ryan Sy, Chen, who was nabbed on Oct. 14, was involved in a syndicate that defrauded victims in China of more than 4.73 million renminbi, or approximately P45.2 million (US$710,625).
The telecommunications fraud syndicate reportedly operated abroad from 2023 to 2024 using “voice phishing to target victims in China and induce them to part with their money through fraudulent investment schemes.”
“They allegedly used a website called ‘WeChat’ to make random voice calls and build relationships with victims under the guise of romance,” Sy said in the BI’s statement.
“They then persuaded victims to send gold to designated recharge points and invest in a fraudulent platform purportedly linked to the Shanghai Gold Exchange,” he added.
Immigration travel records showed that the Chinese fugitive last arrived in the Philippines in June 2018 as a tourist. He had overstayed in the country until his arrest in October, BI said.
The bureau also mentioned that Chen’s apprehension was implemented following a request from the Chinese Embassy in Manila for his deportation over criminal proceedings in China.
The Chinese Embassy noted the fugitive is “the subject of a criminal detention warrant issued by the Xinzhan Branch of the Public Security Bureau in Hefei, China.”
Chen is currently detained at the Parañaque City Jail due to a pending murder charge filed before the city’s Regional Trial Court.
The BI said the fugitive’s case before the Parañaque court will proceed independently and separately from the deportation proceeding against him. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
