6 Japanese tied to 'JP Dragon' crime syndicate deported

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) deported six Japanese nationals on Wednesday, September 10, identified as key members of the notorious “JP Dragon” crime syndicate.

BI deportation unit chief Alex Arciaga confirmed the deportation of Hiraki Ishikawa, 46; Tsubasa Amano, 30; Akira Sambonchiku, 26; Naoto Matsumoto, 36; Rintaro Yamane, 28; and Masato Morihiro, 38. They left Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on a Japan Airlines flight bound for Tokyo.

The six were arrested on May 21 by the bureau’s fugitive search unit in separate operations in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan and Ermita, Manila. Rintaro and Masato were apprehended in a condominium in Ermita, while the others were found in a residential area in Bulacan.

Citing Japanese authorities, the BI said the “JP Dragon” group is wanted for large-scale fraud targeting senior citizens in Japan. Their modus operandi involved impersonating law enforcers to trick victims into surrendering ATM cards and other financial information.

Five of the individuals had outstanding arrest warrants in Fukuoka, Japan, for theft, while Matsumoto was found to be an overstaying alien. All six have been blacklisted, barring their return to the Philippines.