A JAPANESE fugitive wanted for crimes in several countries was arrested in a five-star hotel in Parañaque City last May 17, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced Wednesday.

In a statement on Wednesday, NBI Officer-In-Charge Eric B. Distor said Watanabe Yuki, also known as Kenji Shimada or Shi Shimada, is in the list of the International Criminal Police Organization or Interpol.

Mr. Distor said the suspect “is said to be the ‘Big Boss’ of the largest telecommunication fraud syndicate, whose international operations cover several countries including Japan and the Philippines.”

Mr. Yuki was arrested along with two other Japanese who failed to present any travel documents such as valid passports and alien certificates of registration.

The three were to be turned over to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) last May 20, but Mr. Yuki tested positive for the coronavirus and they were also placed in under quarantine.

The BI said Mr. Yuki and one of the two others have summary deportation orders.

The third Japanese was released for “lack of evidence to establish probable cause” and was found to have a valid visa until this month. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

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