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Advocates Philippines
Chinese Fraud Syndicate Busted In Palawan
Photo credit: BI
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) disclosed the apprehension of four Chinese nationals suspected of orchestrating an identity fraud syndicate in Palawan on March 19.
Led by BI intelligence division Chief Fortunato Manahan, Jr., the operation in Brgy. San Pedro, Palawan City, nabbed Wang Tao, Li Xiaoming, Guo Zhi Yang, and Lyu Zhiyang, alias Ken Garcia Lee, purportedly the mastermind behind the illicit scheme.
The collaborative effort involving Naval Forces West, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency 4B, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines culminated in the seizure of various government-issued documents from the suspects, including driver's licenses, postal IDs, and birth certificates.
Lyu Zhiyang, alias Ken Garcia Lee, gained infamy as a fraud mafia leader in Palawan, allegedly spearheading a syndicate providing fraudulent documents to undesirable aliens and trafficking victims.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco lauded the operatives for apprehending these significant players in identity fraud, emphasizing the grave implications of such activities. Representative Robert "Ace" Barbers had previously expressed concern over the surge in arrests and interceptions of foreign nationals holding Philippine documents, a trend corroborated by the BI's report of at least 10 cases last year alone.
The syndicate members have been relocated to the BI facility in Bicutan, Taguig, to face charges under the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 for misrepresentation and undesirability.
Commissioner Tansingco urged local government units to remain vigilant and report instances of foreign nationals engaging in illicit activities, particularly identity fraud, emphasizing the far-reaching consequences, including political interference and property acquisition, facilitated by fraudulent documents.
Led by BI intelligence division Chief Fortunato Manahan, Jr., the operation in Brgy. San Pedro, Palawan City, nabbed Wang Tao, Li Xiaoming, Guo Zhi Yang, and Lyu Zhiyang, alias Ken Garcia Lee, purportedly the mastermind behind the illicit scheme.
The collaborative effort involving Naval Forces West, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency 4B, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines culminated in the seizure of various government-issued documents from the suspects, including driver's licenses, postal IDs, and birth certificates.
Lyu Zhiyang, alias Ken Garcia Lee, gained infamy as a fraud mafia leader in Palawan, allegedly spearheading a syndicate providing fraudulent documents to undesirable aliens and trafficking victims.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco lauded the operatives for apprehending these significant players in identity fraud, emphasizing the grave implications of such activities. Representative Robert "Ace" Barbers had previously expressed concern over the surge in arrests and interceptions of foreign nationals holding Philippine documents, a trend corroborated by the BI's report of at least 10 cases last year alone.
The syndicate members have been relocated to the BI facility in Bicutan, Taguig, to face charges under the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 for misrepresentation and undesirability.
Commissioner Tansingco urged local government units to remain vigilant and report instances of foreign nationals engaging in illicit activities, particularly identity fraud, emphasizing the far-reaching consequences, including political interference and property acquisition, facilitated by fraudulent documents.
Apr 1, 2024
