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FBI most wanted living in Iloilo - family

Published Aug 16, 2026 02:07 pm
The FBI poster of Rey E. Grabato II as a Most Wanted Fraudster
The FBI poster of Rey E. Grabato II as a Most Wanted Fraudster
ILOILO CITY—A man wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States (US) for a $650-million investment scam has been living in Iloilo since 2022.
The family of Rey E. Grabato II, the son of Mina town mayor Rey Grabato, II once again reiterated his presence in Iloilo after the FBI identified Rey II as a Most Wanted Fraudster with a reward of $150,000 for his arrest.
Rey II’s younger brother Christopher issued an August 14 statement on behalf of the family claiming that Rey II “is presently recovering from a severe stroke, which caused him to be partially paralyzed. The family urged for restraint and sensitivity.
It was Rey II’s mother, former mayor Linda Grabato, who initially announced last October 2022 that Rey II came home to Iloilo months prior to recover from an accident in the US.
At that time, Rey II was indicted after being charged by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for defrauding thousands of investors via the National Realty Investment Advisors LLC (NRIA), wherein he served as president.
Rey II’s presence in Iloilo is still being confirmed by the Manila Bulletin. But photos taken in 2023 showed Rey II in various social and business engagements with individuals who were unaware he had been a wanted fugitive in the US.
It was unclear when Rey II had a stroke, but the photos taken of him in 2023 showed him apparently being able to have physical mobility.
The family also emphasized that Rey II or the family never received any official notice from authorities in the Philippines and the US.
“We consider it inappropriate at this time to speculate on, debate, or publicly litigate the substance of the allegations appearing in media and social media reports,” Christopher wrote.
“Any appropriate response concerning the legal matters being reported will be made through the proper channels should and when formal proceedings require it,” the statement added.
Aside from the investment scam, Rey II was also accused of “conspiring to evade $26 million in tax liabilities” with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

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