ANGELES CITY — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested four foreign nationals allegedly involved in telecommunications fraud, online gaming scams, and other illicit activities in Angeles City.
In a report to Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan, Jr. and Regional Intelligence Operations Unit 3 (RIOU-3) operatives detailed the enforcement operation conducted on February 18 at a residential area in Barangay Pampang, Angeles City.
The operation was carried out in coordination with the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG), following intelligence information received indicating that the subjects were involved in telecommunication fraud, online gaming fraud, and a reported kidnapping-for-extortion scheme.
Two Japanese-looking females attempted to board a vehicle to evade arrest, and were immediately intercepted by agents in the area.
Upon inspection, authorities identified the occupants as Japanese nationals Oi Riho, 27 and Moriyama Yu, 31. They were found together with a 42-year-old Japanese national identified as Kato Hiroaki, and a 32-year-old Chinese national named Wang Xinyu.
The subjects failed to present passports or valid identification documents. Oi and Kato were found to be overstaying and undocumented aliens.
Moriyama was cited for harboring illegal aliens and for being undocumented. Wang was charged for overstaying, being undocumented, and for undesirability.
During investigation conducted in the presence of Japanese Embassy representatives, the arrested individuals denied involvement in kidnapping and extortion but admitted participation in scamming activities and online gaming fraud operations allegedly based in Angeles City.
Intelligence information further identified Wang as the alleged logistics head of the scam hub, responsible for training personnel and managing operational requirements.
The subjects were apprised of their constitutional rights in a language they understood and were brought to the RIOU-3 office for documentation before being transferred to the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.
Viado issued a strong warning against foreign nationals who exploit Philippine territory for criminal enterprises.
“We will not allow the Philippines to be used as a breeding ground for scam hubs, kidnapping schemes, and transnational fraud operations,” said Viado. “Foreign syndicates who think they can hide behind tourist visas or expired documents should think again. We are working closely with foreign governments and local law enforcement, and we will hunt you down.”
He added that operations against foreign-led scam networks will continue nationwide as part of the government’s intensified campaign against organized transnational crime. #
