The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has deported a Japanese national believed to be a member of the notorious “Luffy” gang, wanted in Japan for stealing ATM cards and scamming elderly victims through fake police operations.
The fugitive, identified as Hoshino Takuya, 24, was arrested on April 22 in Las Piñas City by operatives of the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) following a request from Japanese authorities.
Hoshino and his cohorts allegedly posed as law enforcement officers to trick elderly victims into surrendering their bank cards, which they later used to withdraw money.
According to the BI, Hoshino’s deportation took place on October 16 aboard a Japan Airlines flight bound for Tokyo. His name has been placed on the agency’s blacklist, permanently barring him from re-entering the country.
Meanwhile, the BI also deported another Japanese fugitive, Kunio Aihara, 62, who was arrested on June 3 for robbery resulting in injury. Japanese authorities said Aihara and his accomplices assaulted a victim in Tokyo three decades ago and stole a wallet containing about 700,000 yen in cash.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado lauded the FSU for its successful coordination with Japanese authorities, describing the operation as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to ensure that the Philippines does not become a safe haven for fugitives.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to rid the Philippines of foreign fugitives,” Viado said.
“The Bureau of Immigration continues to work closely with our international counterparts to ensure that the country does not become a refuge for criminals evading justice.”
