DAVAO CITY —– Bureau of Immigration (BI) operatives in Cebu City arrested an American national wanted in his home country for fraud
The fugitive, identified as Paul David Cardwell, 57, attempted to extend his temporary visitors’ visa using the BI’s online services last March 27.
BI tourist visa section chief Raymond Remigio said that Cardwell’s records prompted secondary checks after being prompted by the system that subject is a convicted US felon.
He is reportedly a fugitive wanted for defrauding around $850,000 or more than P48M from a hospital in Wyoming, USA.
A manhunt was conducted and intelligence operatives found him in Cebu last April 3, while inquiring about procedures for applying for a permanent residence visa.
The American man previously made headlines due to the said case after he was ordered to serve more than 10 years in prison. He was quoted during the hearing saying “I was prideful, I was arrogant, and I’m a thief”.
Public records show that he was again arrested in Bangkok for fleeing his fraud case.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco hailed the arrest, saying that illegal aliens cannot evade the long arm of the law.
After his arrest, Cardwell will remain in the BI’s facility before being deported to the USA.