NBI nabs 2 Japanese in ‘fiancée visa’ scam
May 26, 2006 | 12:00am
Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have apprehended two Japanese nationals allegedly running a "fiancée visa" scheme that convinces female jobseekers to enter Japan as "brides-to-be" and extorting as much as P500,000 from each of them.
Head Agent Romulo Asis, of the NBI-Anti-Human Trafficking Division (AHTRAD), said they collared suspects Nakamori Kakuto, 49, and Katsumi Yamamoto, 43, both of Sampaguita Village, Malanday, Marikina City last May 22.
A check with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) showed that the suspects were not authorized to recruit workers for jobs abroad. They do not have any office and only meet prospective applicants at shopping malls.
Arcely Almazan, Jean Macalino and Sheila Casalda filed a complaint against the suspects before the NBI-AHTRAD.
Special Investigator Dave Golla, case investigator, said they have no idea how long the suspects have been running the scam, but they have been going back and forth to Manila every six months.
It appeared that the jobseekers were referred to the two Japanese recruiters, who claimed to have connections in Japan and promised them employment at a factory there.
However, they would have to pose as "fiancées" of Japanese nationals and apply for a fiancée visa while presenting proof they would marry in Japan. The suspects allegedly demanded processing and placement fees ranging from P5,000 to P500,000 from each of the respondents, Asis said.
They were told that they would be sent to Japan in three months time, but the suspects failed to deliver and even tried to extract an additional P5,000 from Casalda.
This prompted the victims to seek the help of the NBI.
Agents set up an entrapment on May 22 at a coffee shop in Cainta, Rizal. After Kakuto received the marked money, he and Yamamoto were arrested by agents.
Asis said they filed charges of violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 and estafa before the Department of Justice. They are currently detained at the NBI’s detention facility.
Head Agent Romulo Asis, of the NBI-Anti-Human Trafficking Division (AHTRAD), said they collared suspects Nakamori Kakuto, 49, and Katsumi Yamamoto, 43, both of Sampaguita Village, Malanday, Marikina City last May 22.
A check with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) showed that the suspects were not authorized to recruit workers for jobs abroad. They do not have any office and only meet prospective applicants at shopping malls.
Arcely Almazan, Jean Macalino and Sheila Casalda filed a complaint against the suspects before the NBI-AHTRAD.
Special Investigator Dave Golla, case investigator, said they have no idea how long the suspects have been running the scam, but they have been going back and forth to Manila every six months.
It appeared that the jobseekers were referred to the two Japanese recruiters, who claimed to have connections in Japan and promised them employment at a factory there.
However, they would have to pose as "fiancées" of Japanese nationals and apply for a fiancée visa while presenting proof they would marry in Japan. The suspects allegedly demanded processing and placement fees ranging from P5,000 to P500,000 from each of the respondents, Asis said.
They were told that they would be sent to Japan in three months time, but the suspects failed to deliver and even tried to extract an additional P5,000 from Casalda.
This prompted the victims to seek the help of the NBI.
Agents set up an entrapment on May 22 at a coffee shop in Cainta, Rizal. After Kakuto received the marked money, he and Yamamoto were arrested by agents.
Asis said they filed charges of violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 and estafa before the Department of Justice. They are currently detained at the NBI’s detention facility.
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