THE PHILIPPINES arrested a Japanese national believed to be a key member of the so-called 鈥淟uffy鈥 transnational crime syndicate, which engages in fraud and cybercrime schemes, its Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Sunday.
Operatives from the BI鈥檚 Fugitive Search Unit apprehended a 28-year-old Japanese man in a residential area of Taguig City on Aug. 1.
The arrest was carried out in coordination with Japan鈥檚 National Police Agency and the Philippine National Police鈥檚 Intelligence Group.
The suspect is wanted by Japanese authorities for his alleged role in a sophisticated fraud operation that targeted elderly victims. The Tokyo Summary Court earlier issued a warrant for his arrest on theft charges under Japan鈥檚 penal code.
According to Japanese police, the man and his associates posed as law enforcement officials to obtain victims鈥 ATM cards and personal data, which were then used to siphon off large sums of money.
鈥淭he arrest of [the man] is a major step forward in dismantling foreign criminal syndicates exploiting Philippine territory,鈥 BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado said in a statement.
The suspect is believed to be among the last active members of the 鈥淟uffy鈥 syndicate, a Japan-based criminal network that reportedly operated from the Philippines and is suspected of stealing over 楼1 billion (roughly $6.3 million) through fraud and cybercrime schemes. A series of joint operations in recent years has led to the group鈥檚 near-dismantlement.
Immigration officials said his passport had expired in October 2024 and that he failed to apply for renewal, making him an overstaying and undesirable alien. The Japanese Embassy in Manila had earlier flagged him as a fugitive who posed a threat to public safety.
He has been transferred to the BI鈥檚 Warden Facility pending deportation proceedings. 鈥 Chloe Mari A. Hufana
