NBI nabs top Chinese fugitive

One of the most wanted men in China, a businessman accused of “economic crimes” involving the equivalent of P70 million, was arrested in Manila by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday.

NBI Director Nonnatus Rojas said the arrest of 47-year-old Wang Botao was prompted by a request from the police attache of the Chinese Embassy.

The agents caught up with Wang as he was about to enter Adriatico Residence Tower I condominium on Adriatico Street, where he was renting a unit.

According to Rojas, Wang had also been operating a stall selling Chinese products on the fifth level of Robinsons Place mall in Manila.

One of China’s most wanted

“The suspect is one of the most wanted men in his homeland. (He’s wanted) for economic crimes,’’ said Daniel Daganzo, head of the NBI Foreign Liason  Division.

Daganzo said Wang was charged with “swindling” fellow Chinese businessmen in his country. The official did not provide details of the charge but said it involved about 10 million yuan or the equivalent of P70 million.

He said Wang’s passport had been canceled by the Chinese government.

To track Wang down, the NBI used a photograph and a prepaid cellular phone number of the suspect which were provided by the embassy’s Fugitive Affairs Division.

Records at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) showed that Wang was issued a Philippine visitors visa on Sept. 20, 2012.

The Chinese suspect remained in detention at the NBI jail in Manila on Saturday and was set to be turned over to the BI.