BI arrests Japanese national wanted for phishing scams

DAVAO CITY – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced the arrest of a Japanese national who sought prosecution in his home country for alleged involvement in phishing scams.

According to a statement released Monday, Yokota Tetsuya, 39, was apprehended by the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit on January 2 in Binondo, Manila. He is currently detained at the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, and is awaiting repatriation.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado confirmed that Tetsuya will be deported following the issuance of a summary deportation order by the BI Board of Commissioners.

“He will be deported after our board of commissioners issues the order for his summary deportation,” Viado said. “He will also be placed on our immigration blacklist and perpetually banned from re-entering the Philippines for being an undesirable alien.”

Tetsuya is the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant issued by the Summary Court in Omiya, Japan, on May 31, 2024. Japanese authorities allege that Tetsuya and accomplices deceived a victim through a fraudulent phone call.

The suspects reportedly told the victim that transferring the right to enter a nursing home constituted a criminal act. They then convinced the victim to send 2.75 million yen (approximately USD 17,000) in cash via mail.

The BI’s actions underscore the Philippines’ commitment to cooperating with international law enforcement to apprehend fugitives and prevent foreign nationals involved in criminal activities from using the country as a safe haven.

Tetsuya’s deportation will proceed after due process, ensuring that he faces justice for his alleged crimes in Japan.