Posted by Amarachi
A 35-year-old Nigerian man, Ahmed Kamilu Alex, has been arrested in Quezon City, Philippines, after being declared wanted in the United States for cyber fraud. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed his arrest in a statement on October 28, 2024.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado reported that Alex was apprehended by the BI’s fugitive search unit (FSU) on October 11 while he was in Barangay Paligsahan. His arrest came months after he was placed on the immigration blacklist for being a fugitive from justice.
U.S. authorities allege that Alex conspired with two accomplices to run a cyber fraud scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic. They reportedly created fake websites that imitated legitimate U.S. government agencies. The scheme targeted mainly military personnel, charging victims between $500 and $48,500 for processing their emergency leave requests through these fraudulent sites.
The U.S. government has requested Alex’s deportation so he can face trial for his alleged crimes. He is currently in custody at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, awaiting deportation proceedings. According to the BI, he will remain on the immigration blacklist and be barred from re-entering the Philippines after his deportation.
