Officers from the Philippines’ Bureau of Immigration (BI) have intercepted a Chinese fugitive wanted for being part of a criminal syndicate in China’s Shandong province and operating an illegal gambling website.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco revealed Friday that 22-year-old Zeng Zhanhong was intercepted on 27 December as he was about to board an Air China flight to Beijing from Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Tansingco said Zeng was intercepted after the immigration officers who processed his departure found he was the subject of a blue notice from Interpol for being a fugitive from justice.
Beijing was immediately notified and Zeng arrested after landing in Beijing later that same day.
“His arrest became possible after the BI made the proper coordination with Chinese authorities in Manila,” Tansingco said.
He added that Zeng is allegedly a member of a criminal fraud syndicate in Shandong province and has a standing arrest and detention order. He is accused of operating an illegal gambling website – a serious criminal offense under Chinese law.
China’s recent crackdown on illegal gambling has also included the decimation of Macau’s junket industry following the arrests of former Suncity Group CEO Alvin Chau in late 2021 and Tak Chun Group CEO Levo Chan in early 2022. Both have recently faced Macau’s courts as part of lengthy trials.