Exclusive: Major Japanese Crime Syndicate Busted in the Philippines

Japanese Crime Syndicate Members Arrested in Bulacan Bulacan, Philippines – In a significant joint operation, Philippine authorities arrested several members of the JP Dragon Syndicate, one of Japan’s largest crime groups. The arrests, which took place in Bulacan on May 22nd, 2025, targeted individuals suspected of defrauding senior citizens. The operation, a collaborative effort between the military’s intelligence group and the Bureau of Immigration’s Fugitive Search Unit, involved months of surveillance. Chief Rendel Sy, head of the BI Fugitive Search Unit, stated, "This operation was challenging because we were trying to catch seven subjects." The authorities successfully located the syndicate’s hideout and conducted the arrests. The suspects, primarily former Yakuza members, are accused of running a telecom fraud syndicate that targeted victims in Japan. The syndicate’s modus operandi involved obtaining ATM cards from victims’ homes before carrying out fraudulent transactions. The arrests highlight the international cooperation needed to combat transnational crime. The successful apprehension of these suspects underscores the commitment of Philippine law enforcement to protecting vulnerable populations and disrupting criminal organizations.