Philippine police have arrested a 57-year-old Japanese man accused of being a member of the criminal gang JP Dragon and wanted by Japanese authorities for fraud and theft charges.
On 3 November 2026, the Philippine Immigration Office announced the arrest of Yamamoto Yoshitama, a 57-year-old Japanese national wanted in Japan for fraud, theft, and attempted theft. Authorities believe he is a senior member of the criminal gang "JP Dragon." Yamamoto was arrested during a raid in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija Province, on 31 October.
Rendell C., head of the Fugitive Tracking Unit at the Immigration Office, stated that Yamamoto is alleged to be a leader of the JP Dragon gang, which is based in Japan and believed to operate in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. The gang members have reportedly impersonated police officers to deceive elderly Japanese victims into handing over ATM cards and bank account information. Japanese police believe that since 2019, the gang has defrauded around 250 victims, causing losses amounting to nearly 1 billion yen.
Yamamoto was arrested under a deportation order issued on 18 July 2023, following an arrest warrant from the Fukuoka District Court dated 27 December 2022. He is currently held at an immigration detention center pending deportation proceedings.
Joel Anthony M. Vietdo, commissioner of the Philippine Immigration Office, warned foreign fugitives that the Philippines will not serve as a refuge to evade justice in their home countries. He emphasized that cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies is crucial for tracking and apprehending transnational criminals.
Source: AP