BI to deport fake Korean journalist

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is set to deport a Korean man who reportedly pretended to be a journalist and swindled his fellow Koreans by more than 42.2 million won or $390,000.

Yun Jong Sik, 39, has been hiding in the Philippines since 2008, according to Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente.

Yun is being held at the BI detention facility at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig pending his deportation.

He was apprehended by operatives of the BI Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) in Guadalupe, Makati on May 23.

Dana Krizia Sandoval, spokesperson for the BI, said Yun is wanted for a string of fraud cases in Korea.

Yun is the subject of four outstanding warrants of arrest issued by Korean courts for fraud, Sandoval said.

The suspect allegedly enticed two female Koreans to give him huge amount of money through the Internet by introducing himself as a journalist, who graduated from a university in the United States.

“He supposedly received more than $390,000 from the victims through fraud, which he committed between August and September 2013,” Sandoval said.

Morente ordered Yun’s arrest after the Korean embassy in Manila sought the bureau’s help.

“We will not allow criminals to use the Philippines to hide from justice. He will be deported and banned from returning to the country,” the BI chief said.

FSU head Bobby Raquepo said Yun arrived in the country on Oct. 2, 2008.

With an expired passport, Raquepo said the Korean has been illegally staying in the country.