15/08/2026
KOREAN FUGITIVE WANTED UNDER INTERPOL RED NOTICE NETTED IN ILLEGAL GAMBLING CASE
The Philippine National Police, under the command of PNP Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., has apprehended a Korean fugitive wanted by South Korean authorities in connection with a large-scale illegal cyber gambling operation.
On August 7, 2026, personnel of the PNP Intelligence Group’s Foreign Intelligence and Liaison Division and Regional Intelligence Unit 4A, together with the Bureau of Immigration’s Fugitive Search Unit and the General Trias Municipal Police Station of the Cavite Police Provincial Office, apprehended the female Korean national in Barangay Buenavista I, General Trias, Cavite. The operation was conducted in coordination with the Korean National Police Agency and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.
The arrest was based on Bureau of Immigration Mission Order No. 2026-301 and an INTERPOL Red Notice dated June 15, 2025. The fugitive is wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the Incheon District Court of Korea on April 22, 2025, for violation of Article 47-(2) and Article 26-(1) of Korea’s National Sports Promotion Act involving the operation of an illegal cyber gambling house.
From November 2018 onwards, the female Korean fugitive, who allegedly served as an assistant manager of the criminal syndicate, was involved in an organization that operated 23 illegal gambling websites in Pasay City and Quezon City. The syndicate generated more than 5.33 trillion Korean won in betting transactions, with illegal profits estimated at more than 350 billion Korean won.
The criminal organization was structured into specialized teams, with assistant managers overseeing roughly 300 employees. It allegedly funded bets on sports and casino games through designated bank accounts while recruiting members through promises of high profits. The group also allegedly confiscated passports, intimidated individuals, and subjected them to physical assault.
“This operation demonstrates the PNP’s determination to act on international law-enforcement alerts and pursue fugitives who attempt to evade justice. We will strengthen our partnerships with foreign counterparts and ensure that legitimate intelligence leads to appropriate law-enforcement action,” PNP Chief PGEN Nartatez said.
“Hindi magiging kanlungan ang Pilipinas ng mga taong tumatakas sa batas. Gagawin natin ang ating tungkulin upang matulungan ang ating mga katuwang na maiharap sa hustisya ang mga taong hinahanap ng mga awtoridad,” he added.
The PNP Focused Agenda provides a strategic framework for transforming the police organization and strengthening its operational capabilities. Its priority on Enhanced Managing Police Operations is reflected in the intelligence-led action and partnership that resulted in the apprehension of a fugitive wanted under an INTERPOL Red Notice.
The operation highlights the PNP’s commitment to strengthening international law-enforcement cooperation and preventing fugitives from using Philippine territory to evade justice. Under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the PNP assures the public of “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman.”
(PNP-PIO)