Bureau of Immigration arrests American for securities fraud

MANILA, Philippines - An American national wanted in his country for multiple counts of securities fraud was recently apprehended by elements of the Bureau of Immigration in Angeles City, Pampanga, the agency reported yesterday.

Scott Allan Frye, 41, was arrested at his residence in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City, on the strength of a mission order issued by BI executive director Franklin Littaua. 

In a report to Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan, BI Immigration Area II Director Heranio Manalo said Frye could not present any travel document.

Manalo said they found out that Frye is already an undocumented alien after the US government had revoked his passport.

Libanan has ordered the BI law and investigation division to expedite the summary deportation proceedings against Frye so he could be deported to the US to stand trial for his crime.

“As we have always warned other foreign fugitives, the Philippines is not a haven for wanted criminals, thus they should not seek sanctuary here,” Libanan said. 

Citing information obtained from the US embassy, lawyer Antonio Rivera, head of the BI-Deportation Unit, disclosed that Frye is the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant issued by a US district court in Alabama where he was charged with several counts of securities fraud.

Rivera said that securities fraud is an act committed by an entity intending to manipulate the market through deliberate concealment, or distortion of information.

Since his arrest, Frye has been jailed at the BI detention center in Bicutan, Taguig City while undergoing deportation proceedings. 

Frye would be placed in the immigration blacklist and banned from re-entering the Philippines after he is deported, Rivera said.