AN OVERSTAYING American, allegedly the leader of a notorious pyramiding scam syndicate that has victimized residents of Davao City and other areas in Mindanao, was arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Jan. 24. In a statement, BI Commissioner Jaime H. Morente said BI’s Mindanao regional intelligence operations unit arrested James Edward Booyer II, 36, in his residence at a subdivision in Davao City. The arrest order was prompted by a request from Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio following numerous complaints from victims of the syndicate. “We also received a report from the anti-scam unit under Mayor Duterte’s office regarding the results of its investigation into the nefarious activities of this American and his cohorts in the syndicate,” Mr. Morente said. The Davao City government is now preparing to file criminal complaints. Mr. Booyer will be detained at the BI while filing of the criminal case is pending and “he will be deported after he is convicted and has served his sentence.” — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

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