Interpol-wanted fugitives intercepted at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration detained two foreign nationals wanted by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) as they attempted to leave the country last week.

Immigration officers apprehended the individuals at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminals 1 and 3, preventing their escape from prosecution for crimes committed abroad, the bureau stated on Wednesday, March 26.

The arrests occurred after their names triggered a positive hit in the bureau’s derogatory check system during processing.

The fugitives were identified as 37-year-old Australian national Jaime Strauss, who was apprehended at NAIA Terminal 1 on March 18, and 24-year-old Russian national Zverev Zakhar, intercepted at NAIA Terminal 3 on March 20.

“They will be deported so they can face trial and punishment for their crimes. Afterward, they will be blacklisted and banned from re-entering the Philippines,” Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado said in a statement.

Peter de Guzman, acting chief of the bureau’s Interpol unit, said both Strauss and Zverev are subjects of Interpol red notices tied to criminal cases filed against them in Panama and Russia.

Strauss is wanted by Panamanian authorities for allegedly beating a man two years ago, inflicting serious bodily injuries that incapacitated the victim for 25 days and resulted in permanent facial damage.

Meanwhile, Zverev was indicted by a court in Krasnodar City, Russia, in May 2021 for allegedly fraudulently misappropriating funds from bank accounts.

Zverev and his syndicate are accused of using a voice phishing scheme to trick victims into revealing their personal information, reportedly earning 3.65 million rubles, equivalent to over $43,000 (P2,472,930).

Both suspects are currently held at the BI custodial facility at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City. They will remain there while undergoing deportation proceedings.

The bureau is coordinating with Interpol and the respective countries to expedite their return for prosecution.