MANILA – A Japanese fugitive wanted for his involvement in a phishing scam targeting fellow Japanese nationals has been arrested in Makati City, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported on Sunday.
Eiji Shigematsu, 48, was apprehended by the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) in Bel-Air Village on Friday following a mission order issued by the Japanese government. The arrest was made based on information provided by Japanese authorities.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado confirmed that Shigematsu will be deported and blacklisted from reentering the country. “We will deport him, and he will be banned from reentering the Philippines,” Viado said in a press release.
Shigematsu’s travel records revealed that he had overstayed in the Philippines since his last recorded arrival on October 18, 2019.
According to FSU Chief Rendel Ryan Sy, Shigematsu is wanted in Japan for theft, with a warrant issued by the Kajiki Summary Court. He is accused of operating a voice phishing scam, in which he and his accomplices allegedly posed as police officers to extort money from victims.
Although not connected to the infamous Luffy gang, authorities believe Shigematsu ran a similar, albeit smaller, operation targeting Japanese nationals.
Shigematsu is currently being held at the BI warden facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, as deportation proceedings are underway.