Governor Josh Green, M.D.

STATE OF HAWAIʻI

KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

 

JOSH GREEN, M.D.

GOVERNOR

KE KIAʻĀINA

 

DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

KA ʻOIHANA O KA LOIO KUHINA

 

ANNE LOPEZ

ATTORNEY GENERAL

LOIO KUHINA

 

DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ARRESTS TWO IN ALLEGED $1.2 MILLION FRAUDULENT CHECK SCHEME 

Third Suspect Pending Arrest on $5,000 Warrant 

News Release 2026-46

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                       

July 16, 2026

HONOLULU – As part of its ongoing investigation into an alleged organized check fraud operation, special agents from the Hawaiʻi Department of the Attorney General’s Investigation Division arrested Felix Savoy, also known as Felix Tigilau, 41, for an outstanding $1,000,000 arrest warrant and Baron Yamabe, 75, for an outstanding $100,000 arrest warrant, in connection with an alleged scheme involving approximately $1.2 million in fraudulent checks. They were charged by the department’s Criminal Justice Division with 54 counts of Forgery, Theft and Attempted Theft. A third suspect, identified as Ursula Ramos, 78, is pending arrest on a $5,000 warrant.

According to the charges, the defendants allegedly manufactured and deposited fraudulent checks after unauthorized use of account information from unsuspecting victims totaling approximately $1.2 million between June and August 2024.

These arrests are the latest development in the department’s continuing investigation into an alleged criminal organization engaged in large-scale check fraud. In August 2024, Tigilau, Yamabe and two other individuals were arrested and charged in connection with an earlier alleged scheme involving about $1.5 million in fraudulent checks.

“The scope of the alleged fraud and the repeated conduct uncovered through this investigation are deeply troubling. Our investigators and prosecutors remained committed to following the evidence, and these arrests reflect that persistence. We will continue working to protect Hawaiʻi’s businesses, financial institutions and residents from organized financial crime,” said Attorney General Anne Lopez.

“Our work did not end with the arrests we announced in 2024. Our investigators continued to follow the evidence and new leads, working closely with the department’s Criminal Justice Division to disrupt organized financial crime in Hawaiʻi,” said Investigations Division Chief Tom Alipio. “This case is also a reminder to safeguard your personal and financial information and remain vigilant against fraud. I commend our special agents with the Investigations Division and Deputy Attorney General Adrian Dhakhwa for their professionalism, dedication and countless hours of hard work on this case.”

Investigators believe there may be other businesses or individuals that have been defrauded by these individuals. Anyone who believes they were victimized by Tigilau aka Felix Savoy, is encouraged to contact the Department of the Attorney General’s Investigations Division at 808-586-1240.

Theft and Attempted Theft in the First Degree are Class B felonies punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine not exceeding $25,000. Theft, Attempted Theft and Forgery in the Second Degree are Class C felonies punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine not exceeding $10,000. If convicted, Tigilau would face mandatory prison time and could be eligible for extended term sentencing. The department will seek restitution on behalf of the victims, in an amount determined by the court.

The Arraignment and Plea will be scheduled before the First Circuit Court. The case is State v. Felix Tigilau, et.al., 1CPC-26-0000873. The prosecution is being handled by Criminal Justice Division Deputy Attorney General Adrian Dhakhwa.

In addition, Tigilau is currently pending trial in State v. Felix Tigilau, et.al., 1CPC-24-0000954, on three counts of Theft in the First Degree, one count of Theft in the Second Degree, and two counts of Forgery in the Second Degree. That case is also being prosecuted by Dhakhwa.

All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.   

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