“We are warning other foreign fugitives not to hide in the Philippines. I would never allow the country to become a refuge or sanctuary for wanted foreign criminals,” said Libanan.
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American couple in California fund scam deported
By Margaux Ortiz
Inquirer
Last updated 11:53pm (Mla time) 11/07/2007
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Close this MANILA, Philippines -- An American couple wanted by United States federal authorities for allegedly duping investors in a multi-million dollar investment fraud scheme in California has been sent packing.
Terry and Rebecca Solomons, who allegedly swindled some $18 million from their victims, were deported last October 30, and left on a Continental Airlines flight to Guam en route to the US mainland "where they will stand trial for their crimes,” said Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan.
Libanan said the Solomons were deported four months after they were arrested in their Makati condominium by a team from the immigration bureau and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Libanan issued the mission order for the couple’s arrest at the request of the US Embassy and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) which sought the help of the Philippine government in locating the Solomons.
Their travel records showed that the Solomons have been hiding out in the Philippines since January.
“We are warning other foreign fugitives not to hide in the Philippines. I would never allow the country to become a refuge or sanctuary for wanted foreign criminals,” said Libanan.
He said the Solomons have been put on the immigration blacklist to prevent them from re-entering the country.
A federal grand jury in San Francisco indicted the Solomons, residents of Tiburon, California, for their primary role in a multi-million dollar investment scheme.
US prosecutors accused the couple of soliciting investments to purchase and re-sell a rare diamond.
They also allegedly asked their victims to invest in a new telecommunication hardware company in China.
“However, the couple did not invest the funds but instead spent them on promoting their company, the purchase of luxury automobiles and other items such as vacations for themselves and family members,” Libanan said. |
