25 Koreans arrested in Philippines over alleged fraud, illegal gambling

Five South Korean men cover their faces as they are presented to reporters in Manila, Philippines, Friday. They are among twenty five South Koreans who have been arrested in Manila on suspicion of internet fraud or illegal online gambling. / AP-Yonhap

By Park Si-soo

Twenty-five South Koreans have been arrested in metropolitan Manila on suspicion of internet fraud or illegal online gambling, the Associated Press reported on Friday, citing Philippine authorities.

Twelve of the suspects are wanted at home for allegedly duping their compatriots into investing money in bogus real estate projects in the Philippines, Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente was quoted as saying in the report.

Their arrests Wednesday in a posh condominium followed the bureau's apprehension on Monday of four other South Koreans for alleged fraud and voice phishing. They are accused of duping hundreds of their compatriots who lost money after revealing private information to callers impersonating legitimate companies.