American fugitive faces extradition

The National Bureau of Investigation is set to extradite an American fugitive who has reportedly been hiding in the Philippines for the past three years for allegedly defrauding a woman of $1.5 million.

Head Agent Claro de Castro Jr., of the NBI’s Interpol division, said they apprehended Eduardo Jose Miranda, 41, a US citizen of Filipino descent. He was arrested at his home in Makati City. The operation was done in cooperation with the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

According to the NBI, Judge Thomas Wilson of the US District Court, Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, issued a warrant of arrest and charged him with grand theft, scheme to defraud and securities fraud.

Records provided by US Embassy in Manila legal attaché Stephen Cutler showed that Miranda reportedly took $1.5 million (or P75 million) from Doris O’Keefe.

Miranda allegedly convinced her to invest $2 million to establish a company but he siphoned off most of the money instead.

He then opened three bank accounts and stole the company’s money. He then utilized $500,000 in investing in a sugar mill.– Evelyn Macairan