FBI most-wanted fraudster behind $10M Shriners theft spotted in Philippines
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A fugitive on the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters List, convicted of stealing money meant to fly sick children to Shriners Children’s Hawaiʻi for care, has apparently been spotted in the Philippines.
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Michael Marasigan was photographed by staff at the Pacific Daily News on March 15 in Manila. The photo shows Marasigan, wearing a black shirt, appearing to leave a cafe.
Sentenced in absentia
Marasigan was sentenced to more than 21 years in prison for defrauding patrons of a Guam bingo hall who were told their money would help fly sick children to Honolulu for medical treatment.
In May, he was sentenced in absentia and ordered to pay $10 million to the Aloha Shriners.
Angela Keen, a former Shriners Children’s Hospital employee in Honolulu, reported marketing violations by the Guam bingo hall to the nonprofit’s headquarters nearly a decade ago.
“Seeing him live his life so freely after everything he’s done is shocking. It’s infuriating,” Keen said.
A former Shriners parent also reacted to the news.
“It’s hard not to feel anger,” the parent said. “He doesn’t deserve to be walking around free. I hope that he is captured and brought to justice for the crimes that he committed against children.”
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A valuable investigative lead
Retired FBI special agent Tom Simon said the newspaper photograph could aid investigators.
“If that photograph is legitimate and recent, the fugitive’s world just got a lot smaller,” Simon said. “Once investigators know what city a fugitive is in, the walls start to close in.”
Simon added that cases like this are why the FBI has agents stationed overseas.
The Pacific Daily News reported that the Philippine Consulate General has not received any communications or requests from U.S. authorities about the case.
FBI offering $150K reward
In a statement, the Honolulu FBI said in part: “Marasigan is still wanted by the FBI and is featured on the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters List. The FBI continues to seek information from the public about his whereabouts and remains committed to bringing him to justice.”
A reward of $150,000 is being offered for information leading to Marasigan’s capture. The public can contact the FBI’s toll-free tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
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