A 52-year-old South Korean man flagged by Interpol for allegedly running a large-scale illegal gambling operation was taken into custody at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 as he attempted to leave the country on Tuesday, July 15, 2026.
Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado named the man as Cho Yungeon, who also went by Cho Min. Agents from the bureau’s Fugitive Search Unit made the arrest at the departure area, working alongside South Korean law enforcement, the Philippine National Police-Interpol Group, and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.
According to immigration records, Cho first arrived in the Philippines in 2019, presenting a Cambodian passport bearing the name Cho Min. Investigators established through biometric matching that this traveler and the South Korean fugitive Cho Yungeon were one and the same.
“This arrest sends a clear message that the Philippines will not serve as a sanctuary for cybercriminals and international fugitives hiding behind false identities,” Viado said.
The warrant for Cho traces back to the Busan District Court, which sought his arrest over an illegal online gambling site he allegedly ran out of Makati City starting in January 2024. A Red Notice from Interpol followed.
Investigators said the operation took wagers on local and foreign sports matches, handled deposits made online, and released winnings according to betting odds. The platform also featured casino offerings, among them baccarat.
“Through our close cooperation with international law enforcement partners, we will continue to hunt down foreign fugitives who threaten public order and the integrity of our borders,” Viado said.
Cho was handed over to the BI Warden Facility, where he is being held while deportation proceedings move forward.
