A Japanese man believed to be a member of the criminal organization, “JP Dragon,” has been deported from the Philippines and detained by police in Japan.
It’s the first arrest of someone linked to the organization, which is suspected of mass phone fraud and other crimes.
Kagoshima Takayuki was accompanied by investigators when he arrived at Narita International Airport on Tuesday. He was arrested on suspicion of stealing a cash card from a fraud victim.
JP Dragon was launched in the Philippines by former members of criminal organizations in Japan.
Japanese law enforcement has been investigating the group for possible involvement in illegal gambling and fraud targeting Japanese nationals.
Some evidence suggests JP Dragon has links with the so-called “Luffy Group,” a separate criminal organization suspected of orchestrating a string of robberies in Japan.