April 12, 2024 - The Bureau of Immigration (BI) agents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have arrested a South Korean man, identified as 26-year-old Jang Junseok, who is wanted by authorities in Seoul for a series of criminal cases related to counterfeit currency trading.
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Jang was intercepted at the NAIA terminal 1 on April 7 while attempting to board a Philippine Airlines flight to Busan, South Korea. His arrest was prompted by a hit in the BI’s derogatory list, indicating that he is subject to a watchlist order from the bureau and a red notice issued by Interpol.
Following his arrest, Jang was barred from boarding his flight and was taken to the BI warden facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, where he is currently awaiting deportation proceedings.
According to Jaime Bustamante, the acting chief of BI-Interpol, a warrant for Jang’s arrest was issued by the Daegu district court in South Korea on February 28, 2024, after a case for possession and trading of counterfeit currency was filed against him.
Authorities have described Jang as a professional counterfeit currency user who forged South Korean bank notes, used them freely, and engaged in activities that disrupted social order. Jang reportedly has six prior convictions for the same criminal offense but was released on parole in 2023.
While on parole, Jang allegedly continued to forge bank notes and used a pseudonym to deceive his victims, who were offered the fake bank notes at lower prices compared to the genuine notes. The value of the currency notes he allegedly forged is estimated to be more than 30 million won, or about US$22,000.