BI: Korean Cyber Gambling Kingpin Arrested at NAIA with Fake ID

BI: Korean Cyber Gambling Kingpin Arrested at NAIA with Fake ID

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | July 17, 2026

PASAY CITY, Philippines – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has apprehended a 52-year-old Korean national, a notorious figure sought by Interpol for orchestrating a massive illegal online gambling syndicate.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the high-value fugitive as Cho Yungeon, also known by his alias Cho Min. His capture on Tuesday, July 15, at the NAIA Terminal 1 departure area was a meticulously coordinated operation by the BI’s elite Fugitive Search Unit (FSU). The successful apprehension involved critical collaboration with South Korean authorities, the Philippine National Police-Interpol Group (PNP-IG), and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

FSU Chief Rendel Ryan Sy revealed that the operation was initiated by actionable intelligence provided directly by Korean law enforcement, who specifically requested the bureau’s expertise in locating the elusive criminal.

Cho Yungeon is the subject of a stringent arrest warrant issued by the Busan District Court. He is accused of masterminding an illicit online gambling enterprise that brazenly operated from Makati City, commencing in January 2024. This sophisticated syndicate allegedly facilitated betting on both domestic and international sporting events, managed online deposits, disbursed winnings based on dynamic betting odds, and even offered a suite of casino games, including high-stakes baccarat. The gravity of his offenses prompted Interpol to issue a global Red Notice for his immediate arrest.

Crucially, BI records expose Cho’s deceptive entry into the Philippines in 2019, where he utilized a Cambodian passport under the fabricated identity of “Cho Min.” Subsequent biometric verification unequivocally confirmed that “Cho Min” was indeed the internationally wanted Korean national, Cho Yungeon.

“This arrest delivers an unequivocal message: the Philippines will not tolerate or become a haven for cybercriminals and international fugitives attempting to evade justice by exploiting our systems with false identities,” declared Commissioner Viado. “Those who compromise the integrity of our immigration processes will be relentlessly pursued, apprehended, and deported. Through robust collaboration with our international law enforcement partners, we will persistently dismantle these criminal networks and safeguard our public order and national borders.”

The apprehended foreign national has been committed to the BI Warden Facility, where he awaits the commencement of deportation proceedings.

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