By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – Bureau of Immigration (BI) fugitive search unit (FSU) operatives have arrested a Japanese man for allegedly being a member of the notorious Luffy syndicate in Angeles City, Pampanga.
In a statement on Friday, Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the foreigner as Ohnishi Kentaro, 47, who was arrested in an operation with the Philippine National Police (PNP) along Friendship Highway in Barangay Cutcut, Angeles City on Thursday.
The foreigner was tagged as an undesirable alien after the BI received information from the Japanese government that an arrest warrant was issued by the Tokyo Summary Court in 2022 for theft in violation of the Japanese Penal Code.
The suspect and his accomplices allegedly stole ATM cards by posing as law enforcement officers, deceiving elderly victims into surrendering their bank cards and personal information under the guise of a police investigation.
This resulted in the group making unauthorized ATM withdrawals and amassing a substantial amount of stolen assets.
Ohnishi is said to be one of the remaining members of the Luffy syndicate, which was severely weakened following a series of operations conducted by the BI FSU.
According to Japanese authorities, the syndicate generated over ¥1 billion in illicit proceeds from theft, fraud, and other illegal activities.
The foreign national will remain in the BI’s custody while facing deportation proceedings. (PNA)
