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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider BI arrests 4 suspected foreign scammers

BI arrests 4 suspected foreign scammers

Published Feb 22, 2026 03:59 pm
Four foreigners who were allegedly engaged in scamming activities have been arrested in Angeles City in Pampanga, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Sunday, Feb. 22.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado identified them as Japanese nationals Oi Riho, 27; Moriyama Yu, 31; and Kato Hiroaki, 42; and Chinese national Wang Xinyu, 32.
Viado said they were arrested during an entrapment operation conducted by the Regional Intelligence Operations Unit 3 (RIOU-3) in Barangay Pampang, Angeles City.
The BI said the operation was conducted in response to information that the foreigners were engaged in telecommunication fraud and online gaming fraud, and in alleged kidnapping-for-extortion scheme.
The BI said: “The suspects failed to present passports or valid identification documents. Oi and Kato were found to be overstaying and undocumented aliens.”
It also said that Moriyama was cited for harboring illegal aliens and for being undocumented while Wang was charged for overstaying, being undocumented, and for undesirability.
During the investigation conducted in the presence of Japanese Embassy representatives, the bureau said “the arrested individuals denied involvement in kidnapping and extortion but admitted participation in scamming activities and online gaming fraud operations based in Angeles City.”
At the same time, it said that Wang was the alleged logistics head of the scam hub, and responsible for training personnel and managing operational requirements.
The four arrested foreigners are now detained at the BI RIOU-3 office and will be transferred to the bureau’s detention facility in Taguig City.
“We will not allow the Philippines to be used as a breeding ground for scam hubs, kidnapping schemes, and transnational fraud operations,” Viado warned.
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