By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
A Japanese national with alleged ties to the “Luffy” criminal syndicate was collared by the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) in Taguig City on Friday.
Arrested was Kensuke Kudo, 28, a Japanese national wanted in Tokyo for his involvement in a massive fraud operation. Kudo was apprehended pursuant to existing immigration warrants and derogatory records, which include theft in violation of the Japanese Penal Code.
Along with his accomplices, he posed as law enforcement officers to lure elderly victims into surrendering their ATM cards and personal information, with the stolen data eventually used to withdraw large amounts of money without authorization.
“The arrest of Kudo is a major step forward in dismantling foreign criminal syndicates exploiting Philippine territory,” said BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado.
The apprehended fugitive is said to be among the remaining active members of the “Luffy” syndicate—a Japan-based criminal network operating from the Philippines involved in incidents of theft, fraud, and related cybercrimes.
Further investigation revealed that Kudo’s Japanese passport expired on October 4, 2024, and he had not filed any application for renewal, rendering him an overstaying and undesirable alien. A formal communication from the Embassy of Japan in Manila also classified him as a fugitive posing a threat to public safety and security.
The arrested individual was turned over to the BI Warden Facility (BIWF) for booking and documentation procedures, pending deportation proceedings.
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