The Bureau of Immigration (BI) thwarted the escape attempt of a Japanese national who is wanted in Japan for fraud and money laundering.
37-year-old Hiroyuki Kawasaki was arrested on August 14, 2024, at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 while attempting to board a Philippine Airlines flight to Singapore.
Kawasaki tested positive in an Interpol derogatory check while an immigration officer was processing his documents. He had long been sought by the Japanese government for falsifying official documents and financial fraud.
Kawasaki allegedly falsified the electronic records of notarized contracts, which were then used to deceive several companies in Japan in relation to their bank deposits.
"Japanese authorities also alleged that Kawasaki was responsible for creating several shell companies, which he used to siphon the funds of legitimate corporations who engaged his services as their investment manager," BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement.
These shell companies were allegedly used to launder funds that Kawasaki and his accomplices withdrew from the bank accounts of their victims.
Kawasaki is currently being held at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City, while awaiting his deportation.
According to Tansingco, Kawasaki was placed on the BI watchlist last August after being charged with a deportation case for being an undesirable alien.
Tansingco said the Japanese fugitive will be sent back to Tokyo as soon as the BI board of commissioners issues the order for his summary deportation.
