Bureau of Immigration (BI) agents have arrested 36 Japanese believed to be members of an extortion ring victimizing their compatriots through various telecommunication scams.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the aliens were rounded up in a Makati City hotel after the Japanese police sought the assistance of the agency in locating and whereabouts of two thieves with outstanding arrest warrants.
The duo were identified as a certain Nobuki Oshita, 20, and Usuke Kiya, 33. Fugitive search unit (FSU) head Bobby Raquepo said the raid also resulted in the arrest of 34 others who were caught engaged in voice phishing operations.
“Upon verification with the Japanese police, it was found out that all 36 are members of an organized crime group involved in telecom fraud and extortion,” Raquepo stated.
The group has reportedly victimized 1,393 Japanese nationals, of some two billion yen, or about P932 million.
Morente assured the public that the BI will continue to strengthen partnership with their foreign counterparts in apprehending alien criminals.
“The presence of these criminals in the country is a risk to public security. We will keep our strong ties with our partners until the last foreign fugitive is hunted, deported, and blacklisted,” he said.
The arrested aliens are now detained at the BI detention facility in Bicutan, Taguig pending deportation proceedings. (Jun Ramirez)