BI nabs Japanese wanted for bank fraud

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested a Japanese fugitive wanted by authorities in Tokyo for his alleged involvement in bank fraud.

Sato Shohei, 32, was arrested along Newport Boulevard in Pasay City by operatives from the BI’s fugitive search unit (FSU) on April 24, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement.

BI-FSU acting chief Rendel Ryan Sy said a summary court in Tokyo issued a warrant for Shohei’s arrest after a case for theft was filed against him in October last year.

Japanese authorities alleged that Shohei conspired with several others in stealing money from the bank accounts of victims whose ATM cards they obtained by misrepresenting themselves as police officers or financial service agency representatives.

Shohei is currently detained at the BI warden facility at Camp Bagong Diwa while awaiting deportation.