LAGUNA — Authorities this week arrested a Japanese fugitive in San Pablo City, Laguna, who is allegedly a member of the notorious criminal syndicate Luffy Group.

Immigration and local police agents arrested the 44-year-old Japanese national in Barangay Soledad. He was allegedly involved in a theft case under Article 235 of the Japanese Penal Code.

The Japanese Embassy in Manila reported that the suspect, along with his accomplices, used deception to steal ATM cards from their victims, most of whom were elderly. 

They allegedly posed as police officers and Local Finance Bureau employees to obtain bank cards and information under the pretense of a police investigation.   

Further reports from Japan's National Police Agency identified the suspect as a member of the notorious criminal syndicate known as the Luffy Group, which is allegedly still operating telecom fraud and extortion schemes in the Philippines.  

The arrest was carried out Monday afternoon based on a warrant of deportation issued on March 28, 2023, and a warrant of arrest from the Tokyo Summary Court dated January 20, 2023, in coordination with the Japanese Embassy.  

The suspect is in the custody of the Bureau of Immigration-Fugitive Search Unit while deportation proceedings are being processed to return him to Japan, where he will face charges.

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