By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
ASSISTANT U.S. Attorney Garth Backe is opposing the release of Sze Man Yu Inos, also known as “Yuki,” who faces multiple wire fraud charges. Backe cited her access to unexplained funds despite being unemployed.
Inos was arrested in April 2025 on eight counts of wire fraud. She remains in custody under a detention order issued by Magistrate Judge Heather L. Kennedy, who cited the strength of the evidence and the risk of flight.
In her written order, Judge Kennedy stated: “Weight of evidence against the defendant is strong… Use of alias(es). Chinese and Hong Kong passports. Extensive foreign travel. Planned travel to Korea prior to arrest. Unemployed but [has] unexplained funds for children’s private school and extensive foreign travel.”
Inos, represented by attorney Joey San Nicolas, recently filed a motion to reopen her detention hearing, arguing that her father-in-law is now available to serve as a third-party custodian. Her defense claims she is not a flight risk and poses no danger to the community, citing her family ties on Saipan and her surrender of travel documents.
Backe countered that the proposed custodian does not constitute “new information” under federal law and should have been presented earlier.
“Inos remains a flight risk due to her use of aliases, possession of foreign passports, extensive international travel, and access to unexplained funds despite being unemployed,” Backe said.
The U.S. government alleges Inos orchestrated a complex fraud scheme involving these methods:
– Fake identities and documents. Inos allegedly used fraudulent passports, driver’s licenses, and court orders to support her activities.
– Fabricated financial records. Prosecutors say she submitted fake bank statements and tax documents to courts and financial institutions.
– Multi-jurisdictional wire fraud. The scheme reportedly spanned the CNMI, Washington state, Canada, and California, involving false representations to obtain money and services.
– Continued fraud while in custody. Authorities claim Inos committed wire fraud even while detained at the CNMI Department of Corrections.
– Deception about income and assets. She allegedly lied to courts about her financial status, including hiding income and assets.
Backe also noted that Inos continued her fraudulent activities even after learning she was under FBI investigation.
Inos was indicted in federal court on allegations that she lured older women on Saipan and Guam into an elaborate scheme to solicit money and Bitcoin investments under false pretenses.
According to court documents, Inos was arrested in San Diego, California on April 18, 2025, and transported to Saipan on June 23. She faces eight counts of wire fraud. The indictment outlines specific instances in which Inos transmitted fraudulent messages to her victims.
Between Nov. 1, 2020 and Jan. 1, 2022, Inos allegedly devised and executed a scheme to defraud several individuals through false representations.
She is accused of targeting older women, befriending them by posing as a wealthy Chinese businesswoman. She allegedly treated them to expensive meals and gifts while boasting about her supposed success in Bitcoin investments.
After gaining their trust, Inos would allegedly fabricate personal crises, such as marital problems or business setbacks, to solicit money and investments from her victims.
Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona scheduled a hearing on the defendant’s request for Oct. 24 at 1:30 p.m.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
