On November 19, 2024, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) of the Philippines recently arrested three South Korean fugitives in two operations in Metro Manila, who were wanted for allegedly operating illegal online gambling websites in South Korea.
On November 8, 36-year-old Kim Heechul was arrested in the BF residential area of Parañaque, while 30-year-old Seo Min and 45-year-old Kim Yongsu were captured in an apartment in Diliman, Quezon City.
Kim Heechul was issued an arrest warrant by the Jeonju District Court in May 2021 and was listed as a fugitive by Interpol.
He is accused of conspiring with others to operate an illegal gambling website since 2014, accepting gambling funds and converting them into cryptocurrency, while distributing winnings based on gambling results.
Seo Min and Kim Yongsu were issued arrest warrants by the Incheon District Court in May 2023.
They are suspected of being middle managers in an online gambling criminal organization, responsible for training new employees and overseeing the operation of over 23 illegal gambling websites. Reportedly, the criminal group illegally profited more than 2 trillion Korean Won (approximately 140 million USD) through these sites.
