German swindler found hiding in Palawan

Agents of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have arrested recently a German national who has been wanted for allegedly swindling thousands of investors in his country.

Andreas Muller, 40, is now detained at the BI detention center in Bicutan, Taguig City, pending deportation proceedings against him.

After 10 years of hiding in the Philippines, Muller was arrested last Tuesday in Punta Baja in Poblacion Rizal, a remote area in Palawan some 250 kilometers from Puerto Princesa City.

Apart from being an undesirable alien, it was found that the German was also already overstaying in the Philippines.

Immigration Commissioner Alipio Fernandez Jr. said Muller will be immediately sent back to his country as soon as the bureau’s board of commissioners issue a summary deportation order.

"He will also be placed in our immigration blacklist to prevent him from re-entering our country," Fernandez told reporters.

BI intelligence chief lawyer Faizal Hussin said Muller was a "high-profile fugitive" who is a subject of a arrest warrant issued by a court in Frankfurt.

Muller is allegedly involved in a pyramid-like scam that victimized thousands of investors who lost up to 22 million Euros.

Hussin revealed that Muller and his cohorts were accused of conspiring from 1995 to 1997 in enticing over 1,800 investors in signing investment contracts, promising hefty profits.

"But instead of bringing in profits, the suspects suddenly disappeared and carted away with the victims’ money that was about 22 million Euros," he said.

If convicted, Muller could face a maximum prison term of 10 years under German law.

Hussin said they would coordinate with the German Embassy in Makati City in turning Muller over to German authorities.

BI records showed that the German last arrived in the country on Dec. 18, 1996. He had no records of departure since then.

It was learned that Muller was arrested after German authorities traced him through his Filipina girlfriend who hails from Cebu City.