BI Deports 6 Japanese Nationals Tied to ‘JP Dragon’ Fraud Syndicate

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado

BI Deports 6 Japanese Nationals Tied to ‘JP Dragon’ Fraud Syndicate

By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.Com | September 11, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – In a decisive move against transnational crime, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday (Sept. 10, 2025) deported six Japanese nationals identified as key members of the notorious “JP Dragon” crime syndicate.

The deportation followed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to intensify efforts against foreign criminals operating within the country.

The individuals – Hiraki Ishikawa, 46; Tsubasa Amano, 30; Akira Sambonchiku, 26; Naoto Matsumoto, 36; Rintaro Yamane, 28; and Masato Morihiro, 38 – were apprehended in separate operations on May 21 by the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, and Ermita, Manila.

They departed from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 aboard a Japan Airlines flight bound for Tokyo.

Japanese authorities allege the “JP Dragon” syndicate is responsible for large-scale fraud schemes targeting elderly citizens in Japan.

The group is accused of impersonating law enforcement officials to deceive victims into divulging banking information and surrendering large sums of money.

Their methods reportedly included stealing ATM cards and posing as police officers to intimidate and harass elderly victims.

“The deportation of the members of the JP Dragon group means their operations have been dismantled,” said Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado.

“The collapse of their fraud operations in the country shows that we will not tolerate the presence of foreign syndicates that exploit our people and undermine our laws,” Viado added.

Arrest warrants had been issued in Fukuoka, Japan, against five of the individuals on March 5 on theft charges.

Matsumoto was found to be an overstaying alien.

The six men are now blacklisted by the BI, permanently barring their re-entry into the Philippines.

“This successful operation sends a clear message that the Philippines will not be a safe haven for transnational criminals,” said lawyer Alex Arciaga, chief of the BI deportation and implementation unit.

“We are committed to working with our international partners to combat these types of illicit activities,” he added.