27-11-2024 (JAKARTA) Indonesian authorities have extradited a Filipino fugitive accused of orchestrating a massive casino investment scam that allegedly defrauded thousands of victims of US$68 million.
Hector Aldwin Liao Pantollana, who was the subject of an Interpol red notice, was apprehended at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport on 9 November whilst attempting to board a flight to Hong Kong, Indonesian immigration officials confirmed.
The suspect, who had entered Indonesia on 10 October, faces serious fraud charges in the Philippines related to what authorities describe as an elaborate Ponzi scheme targeting investors in the casino junket industry. The scheme allegedly promised substantial returns to individuals investing in operations that recruited high-stakes gamblers for casinos.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Interpol representatives, Saffar Muhammad Godam, acting director general of Indonesia’s immigration office, detailed the circumstances of Pantollana’s arrest and subsequent handover to Philippine authorities.
“The suspect was transferred to the custody of Philippine embassy officials on Tuesday and is scheduled for repatriation tomorrow”, Godam stated.
The case has drawn significant attention in Southeast Asia’s financial circles, highlighting the ongoing challenges of cross-border financial crimes. Philippine regulators filed criminal charges against Pantollana in May, but investigations revealed he had already fled the country by then.
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission alleges that Pantollana’s scheme exploited growing interest in casino investment opportunities across the region, targeting both sophisticated and novice investors with promises of exceptional returns.
