Philippine Immigration Detains Chinese Fugitive Wanted for Major Fraud in South Korea

The Bureau of Immigration has successfully detained a Chinese national sought by South Korean authorities for orchestrating a large-scale telecommunications fraud. The individual, identified as 50-year-old Zheng Nanzhe, who resides in the Philippines and is married to a Filipina, was intercepted while attempting to board a flight to Cambodia.

Zheng was stopped on November 15 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 as he prepared to depart on Philippine Airlines flight PR 2621 bound for Kti Krong Ta Khmau, Cambodia. During routine departure screening, immigration officers discovered an active Interpol red notice issued in 2024 against him.

South Korean officials have charged Zheng with masterminding a telecommunications-based financial scam involving impersonation of government investigators. Victims were deceived into surrendering their debit cards and liquidating assets under false pretenses, including canceling savings accounts and obtaining loans secured by their homes. The fraudulent activities resulted in the diversion of approximately 1.46 billion Korean won into a VIP junket account.

Zheng faces prosecution under South Korea’s Special Act on the Prevention of Loss Caused by Telecommunications-Based Financial Fraud and Refund for Loss, which carries penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment.

Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado emphasized the significance of this interception, stating, "This interception speaks clearly to our commitment to the President’s mandate: criminals will find no refuge and no escape route through our borders." He further highlighted the agency’s reliance on advanced border control technologies and the vigilance of its personnel to prevent fugitives from fleeing the country, affirming continued efforts to maintain border security and uphold law enforcement integrity.

Currently, Zheng remains detained at the Bureau of Immigration’s facility within Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig as deportation proceedings are underway.