DOJ eyes US extradition for British national in P12-M fraud case
Department of Justice | INQUIRER.net / Noy Morcoso
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has been requested to pursue the extradition from the United States of a British businessman currently charged with estafa before the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC).
“Respectfully indorsing to your good office, the letter-request dated May 13, 2025 of Ms. Maria Anita T. Turqueza, the authorized representative [of] complainant Rheana’s Trading Inc. (RTI)… dated May 13, 2025, which seeks assistance for the extradition of a certain Mr. Lavish Mohan Paryani, male, British national, 45 years old, and with last known address at 20347 Paseo Los Arcos Porter Ranch, California 91326, U.S.A,” read the indorsement letter of City Prosecutor Elmer Cris Rillo.
In his indorsement letter to Remulla, Rillo said Paryani is a co-accused of a certain Reigna Reyes in a criminal case for estafa pending before Branch 112 of the Pasay RTC.
Paryani and Reyes, a former resort hotel employee, have been charged with estafa for allegedly swindling a company specializing in the wholesale distribution of electronic parts and communications equipment out of P12 million.
On Oct. 11, 2024, a warrant of arrest was issued by the Pasay court, leading to Reyes’ arrest. Paryani, however, remained at large.
READ: Police arrest ex-hotel employee for swindling a company
Rillo said they discovered that Paryani left the country on April 7, 2024 through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on board Philippine Airlines flight to Los Angeles.
“As such, we hereby request your good office to institute extradition proceedings against Mr. Lavish Mohan Paryani… before the United States of America, where he is believed to be residing. We look forward to hearing from you regarding the matter,” Jimeno said.
The case was filed by businessman Rajiv Chandiramani, one of the principal stockholders of RTI.
The estafa case stemmed from a meeting between Chandiramani, Paryani, and representatives of another trading firm, including Reyes, who claimed to have business dealings with the resort hotel for the supply of premium products being used as prizes to its patrons and guests.
After several negotiations, a P12-million procurement loan, plus interest, was granted.
The complainant filed charges when he could no longer contact the accused’s business, and the bank account from which the check for the loan payment was supposed to be drawn had already been closed.
