Chinese fugitive wanted for P45.2-million telecommunications fraud arrested in Parañaque

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
November 02, 2026

Photo Courtesy: BI

A 39-year-old Chinese national wanted by authorities in China for his alleged involvement in a telecommunications fraud scheme has been arrested by the Bureau of Immigration in Parañaque City.

The BI identified the suspect as Chen Yongzhou, who was apprehended on October 14 following a request from the Chinese Embassy in Manila for his deportation to face criminal proceedings in China.

Chinese authorities allege that Chen was part of a fraud syndicate operating from 2023 to 2024. The group reportedly used voice phishing and romance-based approaches to deceive victims into sending money through fraudulent investment schemes.

According to BI Fugitive Search Unit Chief Rendel Ryan Sy, the suspects allegedly contacted victims through WeChat, built relationships with them under false pretenses, and persuaded them to send gold to designated collection points and invest in a platform supposedly connected to the Shanghai Gold Exchange.

The scheme allegedly defrauded victims of more than 4.73 million renminbi, equivalent to approximately US$706,000 or P45.2 million.

Chen is the subject of a criminal detention warrant issued by the Xinzhan Branch of the Public Security Bureau in Hefei, China.

Immigration records showed that he entered the Philippines as a tourist in June 2018 but had overstayed his authorized period of stay.

The BI said Chen is currently detained at the Parañaque City Jail in connection with a separate pending murder case before a local Regional Trial Court. The case will proceed independently of the deportation proceedings.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado reiterated that the Philippines would not serve as a refuge for foreign nationals wanted by authorities in other countries, adding that the bureau would continue coordinating with international law enforcement agencies.