FBI Adds Dual Citizen to Most Wanted Roster After Guam Shrine Club Bingo Fraud Conviction

Michael Lizaso Marasigan, a U.S.-Philippines dual citizen, was added to the FBI's most wanted list after authorities determined he operated an illegal bingo scheme known as Hafa Adai Bingo through the Guam Shrine Club, and the case has drawn renewed attention in August 2026 as federal agencies continue to pursue individuals who flee across borders following convictions.

The operation ran for six years and generated at least 34 million dollars in revenue, yet investigators found that between 10.7 and 10.9 million dollars was diverted for personal use rather than supporting the intended charity, which was the Shriners Hospital for Children in Hawaii.

Background of the Guam Shrine Club Operation

The Guam Shrine Club presented Hafa Adai Bingo as a fundraising activity that would benefit pediatric care at the Hawaii hospital, and Marasigan managed the day-to-day activities including ticket sales, prize payouts, and financial reporting. Court records show the scheme relied on regular sessions held at the club facility, with proceeds collected through a combination of in-person and wire transfers that crossed state and international lines.

Prosecutors established that the business operated without the required licenses from Guam gaming authorities, and this lack of authorization allowed the organizers to bypass oversight that would normally apply to charitable gambling events. The FBI later described the arrangement as an illegal gambling enterprise that used the charity label to attract participants while routing substantial sums away from the designated recipient.

Financial Diversion and Scale of the Scheme

Over the six-year period the total intake reached at least 34 million dollars, and forensic accounting traced 10.7 to 10.9 million dollars into personal accounts and expenditures unrelated to the hospital. Those funds covered travel, property acquisitions, and other private expenses, according to the evidence presented during the trial that concluded in May 2025.

Wire records and bank statements showed repeated transfers that masked the true destination of the money, and the laundering process involved multiple accounts opened under various names tied to the same circle of associates. The conspiracy charges reflected the coordinated effort among several individuals who helped maintain the appearance of legitimate charitable activity while the core funds were redirected.

Conviction and Immediate Aftermath

A federal jury in May 2025 found Marasigan guilty on multiple counts that included operating an illegal gambling business, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The verdict followed weeks of testimony that detailed how session proceeds were counted, deposited, and partially siphoned before any distribution to the hospital occurred.

After the jury delivered its decision Marasigan left the United States and traveled to the Philippines, where he holds citizenship. Federal authorities issued an arrest warrant and placed him on the most wanted list, noting that the combination of dual nationality and established ties in another country increased the difficulty of securing his return without formal extradition proceedings.

Current Status as of August 2026

As of August 2026 Marasigan remains on the FBI's most wanted roster, and the agency continues to seek public assistance in locating him through its standard channels. The Most Wanted list entry for Michael Lizaso Marasigan outlines the charges and the outstanding warrant, providing contact information for tips that could lead to his apprehension.

Philippine authorities have not publicly confirmed any arrest or detention related to the U.S. warrant, and the case illustrates the challenges that arise when convicted individuals cross into jurisdictions with differing extradition treaties. The FBI has stated that the investigation into remaining associates and any additional assets continues independently of the primary fugitive search.

Broader Context of Charity Gaming Enforcement

Federal prosecutors have pursued similar cases involving unlicensed bingo and raffle operations that claim charitable purposes, and the Guam matter fits within that pattern because the volume of funds and the documented diversion exceeded thresholds that trigger wire fraud and laundering statutes. The six-year duration allowed investigators to compile extensive transaction data that supported the conspiracy charges.

Observers note that such schemes often rely on community trust in established organizations like Shrine clubs, and the Guam case demonstrated how that trust could be exploited when internal financial controls were weak or absent. The conviction record shows that the jury accepted the government's evidence that the hospital received only a fraction of the total revenue collected from players.

Conclusion

The addition of Michael Lizaso Marasigan to the FBI most wanted list stems directly from the May 2025 conviction and subsequent flight, and the case remains active in August 2026 as authorities seek his return to face sentencing. The documented figures of 34 million dollars in total revenue and 10.7 to 10.9 million dollars diverted underscore the scale of the financial activity that led to the charges of illegal gambling, laundering, and wire fraud conspiracy. The ongoing effort to locate the dual citizen in the Philippines continues through established law enforcement channels without additional public developments reported at this time.