The Bureau of Immigration (BI) in the Philippines has denied entry to a Chinese national, Li Mingzhu, who is wanted by Interpol for his alleged involvement in voice phishing fraud.
Li, 32, arrived from Hong Kong on a Cebu Pacific flight and was intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on 12 April. He was flagged for verification by immigration officers due to an Interpol Red Notice issued against him.
Reports received by the BI indicate that Li had installed 31 mobile phones with call masking functions in his vehicle to facilitate a voice phishing operation. These devices were reportedly used to trick individuals by displaying false numbers during fraudulent calls.
The alleged crimes took place in South Korea, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant against Li. In April 2023, the Suwon District Prosecutor’s Office in Korea ordered his arrest for violating their Telecommunications Business Act.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco highlighted the importance of international cooperation in preventing such crimes. “This case underscores the necessity of international cooperation in combating transnational crimes like voice phishing,” he stated.
Following his exclusion, Li was returned to Hong Kong and his name was added to the BI’s blacklist, preventing any future attempts to enter the country.
Commissioner Tansingco reaffirmed the BI’s commitment to border security, stating, “We remain vigilant in our efforts to prevent individuals involved in fraudulent activities from entering our country. The BI is committed to upholding the integrity of our borders and protecting the public from such criminal elements.”