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55-year-old man in P600,000 counterfeit luxury watch scam arrested

Neil Alcober · Jul 9, 2026, 6:26 PM

US fraud suspect Herbert Leon Kimble, wanted by the FBI for allegedly orchestrating a $2 billion healthcare scam involving unnecessary orthopedic braces billed to Medicare, has been arrested in Pasig City and deported by Philippine authorities, who stress the country will not be a sanctuary for international fugitives.

Police arrested a 55-year-old businessman following an elaborate fraudulent scheme involving the sale of a fake luxury wristwatch worth P600,000.

The arrest took place in the early hours of 9 July, Wednesday, following a high-stakes transaction inside a casino complex in Pasay City.

Investigation showed that the victim, a businesswoman, was lured into a transaction under the guise of a lucrative "buyout."

The suspect allegedly misrepresented a counterfeit timepiece as an authentic luxury watch, promising the victim a significant return on investment. The plan was to flip the watch for an estimated P2.5 million, with the victim anticipating a 10 percent share of the profits.

The deception unraveled shortly after the exchange. The parties relocated to a hotel in Manila for formal authentication, where experts immediately flagged the item as a counterfeit. Upon discovering the fraud, the victim took swift action to detain the suspect and alerted the authorities.

Responding officers from the Southern Police District (SPD) took custody of the suspect and the fraudulent item, which is now being processed as key evidence.

The suspect faces charges for violation of Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code (Estafa through False Pretenses or Fraudulent Representation). The case is now being prepared for e-inquest proceedings before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office.