BI to deport Japan’s most wanted fugitive

Misao Koyama (Photo from the Bureau of Immigration)

MANILA, Philippines — A Japanese national, who was arrested for forging documents to sell other people’s property, will soon be deported, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

In a statement issued on Thursday, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente identified the suspect as Misao Koyama, 59, who was arrested on Dec. 19 on Gonzalo Puyat Street in Manila during a joint operation of BI Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) and the Tokyo Interpol.

Morente said Koyama, also known as Misao Kaminsukaso, would be deported to Japan to face charges for allegedly forging documents to sell people’s lands without their consent.

BI FSU Chief Bobby Raquepo said that Koyama was the leader of an eight-man fraud ring accused of selling people’s property by using forged land deals. The fraud syndicate had already swindled billions of yen from victims in Japan.

Raquepo said his heir unit immediately launched an investigation on receiving the report from Japanese authorities.

“Japanese authorities sought our assistance in locating and deporting Koyama as he has a standing warrant of arrest for fraud,” Raquepo said. “Upon receipt of this information, we immediately conducted an investigation to locate him so he may be sent back to Japan to face his crimes.”

Koyama is temporarily detained at the BI’s detention facility in Bicutan, Taguig. /atm