The Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested four foreign nationals allegedly involved in telecommunications fraud, online gaming scams, and other illicit activities during an operation in Barangay Pampang, Angeles City.

In a report to Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said the February 18 operation was conducted by the agency’s intelligence operatives in coordination with the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG), following information linking the suspects to fraud and a reported kidnapping-for-extortion scheme.

Arrested were Japanese nationals Oi Riho, 27; Moriyama Yu, 31; Kato Hiroaki, 42; and Chinese national Wang Xinyu, 32. Two of the suspects allegedly attempted to flee but were intercepted by agents.

Authorities said the group failed to present valid passports or identification documents. Oi and Kato were found to be overstaying and undocumented, while Moriyama was cited for harboring illegal aliens. Wang faces charges for overstaying, being undocumented, and undesirability.

During an investigation conducted in the presence of representatives from the Japanese Embassy, the suspects denied involvement in kidnapping and extortion but admitted participating in scamming and online gaming fraud operations allegedly based in Angeles City. Intelligence reports identified Wang as the alleged logistics head of the scam hub.

The four were informed of their rights and brought to the BI’s Regional Intelligence Operations Unit 3 office for documentation before being transferred to the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.

Viado warned foreign nationals against using the Philippines as a base for criminal enterprises, stressing that operations against foreign-led scam networks will continue as part of the government’s intensified campaign against organized transnational crime.