Bank Embezzler Captured After 18 Years, Forced to Return from Life on the Run in the Philippines
A man in his 50s, who embezzled 1.1 billion won while working in the loan department of a domestic commercial bank, has been forcibly repatriated to South Korea after 18 years of living abroad in hiding.
On the 27th, the National Police Agency announced that they had apprehended the bank embezzler along with two operators of online gambling sites in the Philippines and brought them back to South Korea via Incheon International Airport that morning.
Mr. A (57) is suspected of embezzling approximately 1.1 billion won by falsifying loan-related documents while serving as a senior loan officer at a commercial bank branch in 2007.
When the police began their investigation, Mr. A had already left for the Philippines.
During his long period of hiding, Mr. A was arrested after it was confirmed that he was listed as a red notice by Interpol when he visited the Philippine Immigration Office last September to obtain administrative documents.
The Seoul Bangbae Police Station plans to conduct a detention investigation against Mr. A on charges of embezzlement under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes. His statute of limitations (10 years) was suspended due to his flight abroad.
Online Gambling Site Operator Also Repatriated, Police Strengthening International Cooperation
Mr. B (41), who was repatriated alongside Mr. A, is suspected of operating multiple online gambling sites with six accomplices, using the Philippines as a base, and managing gambling funds amounting to 16 billion won since 2015.
After ten years on the run, Mr. B was apprehended in March this year through a joint investigation by the Korean Desk (Korean officers dispatched to handle local cases) and investigators from the Philippine Immigration Bureau, following surveillance.
The Jeonnam Police Agency's Cyber Crime Investigation Team achieved success in apprehending all members of the criminal organization through Mr. B's forced repatriation.
The National Police Agency stated that in consultation with the South Korean Embassy in the Philippines, they decided to repatriate both suspects simultaneously, considering the nature of their crimes, the scale of their offenses, and the duration of their evasion.
To meet the growing demand for international cooperation, the police have been conducting concentrated operations for the apprehension and repatriation of fugitives abroad through Interpol since April of this year.
Image Source: Mr. A, a former senior banker accused of embezzlement, is being forcibly repatriated through Incheon International Airport on the 27th / National Police Agency; Mr. B, the operator of an online gambling site worth 16 billion won, is being forcibly repatriated while handcuffed / National Police Agency.
