'Luffy Group' gang member nabbed in Calamba

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Authorities were able to arrest a 26-year-old Japanese national who is allegedly a member of the “Luffy Group”.

In a "24 Oras" report from John Consulta on Wednesday, members of the Bureau of Immigration Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU), the Philippine National Police, and the Japanese Embassy went to the residence of the foreigner in Calamba, Laguna to arrest him.

A translator from the Japanese Embassy could be seen in a video translating the Miranda rights to the suspect.

The BI-FSU said the alleged Luffy Group member was part of a modus that has scammed more than P400 million from victims in the Philippines.

The scammers would allegedly pretend to be police or bank officials, claiming that they are doing an investigation. Their target, often senior citizens, would be asked to hand over their ATM cards.

“Magpapadala nga sila ng tauhan sa bahay ng biktima para kunin yung ATM, at doon na sila mag-uumpisa na ubusin ang laman ng ATM ng kanilang mga biktima,” BI-FSU Chief Rendel Sy said.

(They send their members to the house of the victims to get their ATM and that is where they start to finish off the contents of the ATM of their victim.)

“Karamihan sa mga miyembro ng sindikatong ito ay nahuli na natin at napadeport na pabalik sa Japan, although yung iba sa kanila na natitira rito ay sinasabing patuloy pa rin sa kanilang modus,” he added.

(Many of the members of this syndicate have been caught and deported back to Japan, although some of them are still here, continuing their modus.)

Once there is clearance, the foreigner will be sent back to Japan where he will face trial.

The Luffy Group is a transnational crime syndicate that has reportedly made more than 1 billion yen from theft, fraud and other illegal activities while operating from the Philippines. — Jean Mangaluz/BAP, GMA News