The Philippine Bureau of Immigration has arrested a Nigerian national, Ahmed Alex, age 35, who is wanted by U.S. federal authorities for his alleged role in a large-scale cybercrime operation targeting American citizens, specifically retired military personnel.
The Fugitive Search Unit of the Bureau carried out Alex’s arrest on October 11 along Panay Avenue in Barangay Paligsahan, Quezon City. In an official statement, Immigration Commissioner Anthony Viado confirmed that the arrest followed a mission order from the U.S. government, requesting Alex’s detention and deportation to face charges of cyber fraud in the United States.
“Alex has been on our watchlist since August, having been blacklisted as a fugitive,” stated Commissioner Viado. “We acted promptly on the U.S. authorities’ notification through the Department of Justice, which requested immediate enforcement in this case.”
According to U.S. officials, Alex is alleged to have led a cyber scam ring that defrauded numerous American citizens, focusing particularly on retired military members. The Philippine Bureau of Immigration is now collaborating with the Department of Justice to expedite Alex’s deportation to the U.S., where he will face multiple charges linked to his suspected cybercrimes.
PhilStar reports that an investigation by the U.S. Defense Criminal Investigative Service revealed a cyber fraud scheme allegedly orchestrated by Alex and two accomplices. Exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic, they reportedly created fake websites posing as official U.S. government sites, tricking retired military personnel into paying fees ranging from $500 (P29,136.75) to $48,500 (P2,826,264.75) to process supposed emergency leave requests.
Alex is currently being held at the Immigration custodial facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, as he awaits deportation. Following his removal, he will be permanently blacklisted from re-entering the Philippines.
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