BI arrests Japanese woman linked to 'Luffy' fraud syndicate

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested a 33-year-old Japanese woman named Natsuki Kimura suspected of being part of the 'Luffy' gang involved in theft and fraud on Friday.

Kimura was apprehended along Ayala Avenue in Makati City under an arrest warrant issued by the BI Board of Commissioners in March 2023.

She is accused of stealing ATM cards by posing as a police officer and working as a telephone operator for international scams run by the syndicate.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado stated that Kimura will be deported, blacklisted, and banned from re-entering the Philippines, similar to her co-conspirators in the syndicate.

The BI-FSU chief confirmed that several 'Luffy' gang members have been arrested in the country following reports from the Japanese government.

Kimura is currently detained at the BI warden facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, awaiting deportation procedures.