Philippines detains leader of 'JP Dragon' crime ring
The Philippines' Bureau of Immigration has detained Ryuji Yoshioka, 55, the suspected leader of the "JP Dragon" crime ring based in the Southeast Asian country, investigative sources said Friday.
The criminal organization, which includes former Japanese gang members, allegedly worked with another Philippines-based fraud group led by Kiyoto Imamura, 41.
Imamura, who is suspected of instructing perpetrators in robbery cases in Japan and often called himself "Luffy," has been charged with robbery resulting in death.
According to the investigative sources, Yoshioka was taken into custody on the northwestern Philippine island of Luzon on Wednesday.
The Fukuoka Prefectural Police obtained a warrant to arrest him on suspicion of theft over his alleged involvement in a fraud case in which a cash card was stolen from a Japanese national in June 2023 after a call in which a swindler pretended to be a police officer.
In 2024, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department arrested a senior member of JP Dragon. Seven other members of the group, under arrest warrants obtained by the Fukuoka police, were detained by the Philippine immigration authorities last month.
Japanese police plan to ask the Philippines to extradite them.
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Japan Today
3 hours ago
- Japan Today
Japan crime group leader in Philippines arrested over theft
The leader of a Japanese crime syndicate who is based in the Philippines and wanted in Japan for theft has been arrested, immigration authorities said. The "JP Dragon" gangster syndicate, led by Ryuji Yoshioka, 55, and operating from bases in Asia, is believed to have been involved in a string of fraud cases and thefts in Japan. Its members are alleged to have impersonated Japanese authorities in tricking victims, including elderly people, into handing over money. The arrest of Yoshioka on Wednesday evening in Angeles, a city north of Manila, signals the end of operations for one of the group's bases in Southeast Asia, according to Joel Anthony Viado, chief of the Bureau of Immigration. The group is also suspected by authorities of being linked to another crime ring that has organized a series of burglaries across Japan since 2021. A Philippine immigration officer said Yoshioka can speak Tagalog, having been in the Philippines for over a decade, and operates businesses such as online gambling, cockfighting and karaoke bars. He is also wanted by local authorities on suspicion of swindling. © KYODO
Japan Times
14 hours ago
- Japan Times
Philippines detains leader of 'JP Dragon' crime ring
The Philippines' Bureau of Immigration has detained Ryuji Yoshioka, 55, the suspected leader of the "JP Dragon" crime ring based in the Southeast Asian country, investigative sources said Friday. The criminal organization, which includes former Japanese gang members, allegedly worked with another Philippines-based fraud group led by Kiyoto Imamura, 41. Imamura, who is suspected of instructing perpetrators in robbery cases in Japan and often called himself "Luffy," has been charged with robbery resulting in death. According to the investigative sources, Yoshioka was taken into custody on the northwestern Philippine island of Luzon on Wednesday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Police obtained a warrant to arrest him on suspicion of theft over his alleged involvement in a fraud case in which a cash card was stolen from a Japanese national in June 2023 after a call in which a swindler pretended to be a police officer. In 2024, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department arrested a senior member of JP Dragon. Seven other members of the group, under arrest warrants obtained by the Fukuoka police, were detained by the Philippine immigration authorities last month. Japanese police plan to ask the Philippines to extradite them.
15 hours ago
Philippines Detains Leader of "JP Dragon" Crime Ring
Newsfrom Japan Fukuoka, June 6 (Jiji Press)--The Philippines' Bureau of Immigration has detained Ryuji Yoshioka, 55, leader of the "JP Dragon" crime ring based in the Southeast Asian country, investigative sources said Friday. The crime organization, including former Japanese gangsters, allegedly worked with another Philippines-based fraud group led by Kiyoto Imamura, 41. Imamura, who is believed to have instructed perpetrators in robbery cases in Japan often calling himself "Luffy," has been charged with robbery resulting in death. According to the investigative sources, Yoshioka was taken into custody on the northwestern Philippine island of Luzon on Wednesday. The Fukuoka prefectural police obtained a warrant to arrest him on suspicion of theft, over his involvement in a fraud case in which a cash card was stolen from a Japanese national in June 2023 through a call pretended to be from a police officer. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
