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Suspected member of 'Luffy' syndicate in Japan arrested in Pampanga – BI

Philippines | National

Suspected member of 'Luffy' syndicate in Japan arrested in Pampanga – BI

By Jeffrey Damicog

A suspected member of the reported notorious “Luffy” criminal syndicate in Japan has been arrested in Pampanga, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Friday, Sept. 5.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado identified the arrested Japanese national as Ohnishi Kentaro, 47, who is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by Tokyo Summary Court in 2022 for theft in violation of the Japanese Penal Code.

Viado said that Ohnishi was arrested last Thursday, Sept. 4, by operatives of the bureau’s Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU), in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP), in Barangay Cutcut in Angeles City.

The BI said that the Japanese government has informed the Philippine government that the “Luffy” syndicate generated over ¥1 billion from theft, fraud, and other illegal activities.

It said that members of the “Luffy” syndicate are engaged in stealing automated teller machine (ATM) cards by posing as law enforcement officers, and deceiving elderly victims into surrendering their cards and personal information under the guise of police investigation.

The syndicate’s operations resulted in its members unauthorized ATM withdrawals involving huge amounts of money, it also said.

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