Philippines Arrests Korean Fugitive in $3.85B Gambling Case

The Philippines' Bureau of Immigration announced on August 23 the arrest of a 29-year-old South Korean national wanted in connection with 23 unnamed illegal iGaming sites with a combined turnover of approximately $3.85 billion. Incheon District Court issued an arrest warrant for the suspect on April 22, 2025, and Interpol placed her on its international wanted list with a red notice in June of the same year.

According to information provided to Philippine authorities, the suspect served as deputy head of customer support and oversaw operational divisions of the group, which was based out of offices in Pasay and Quezon City since November 2018. She had entered the Philippines on a tourist visa and remained in the country illegally after it expired. She is currently held at the Bureau's detention facility pending resolution of her case.

The arrest adds to a series of recent enforcement actions by Philippine immigration authorities against foreign nationals wanted in connection with illegal online gambling operations based in the country, reflecting continued cooperation between Philippine and South Korean authorities in pursuing individuals linked to large-scale unlicensed gambling networks operating across borders.