MANILA – Operatives of the Southern Police District (SPD) have arrested three suspects allegedly responsible for a PHP10 million estafa scheme known as 'sangla-tira' in Muntinlupa City.
In a report on Wednesday, SPD chief Brig. Gen. Leon Victor Rosete identified the suspects as alias 'Alec', 28, alias 'Christina', 48, and alias 'Daniel', 36, all arrested in an entrapment inside a restaurant in Barangay Poblacion at 3 p.m. Tuesday.
The operation stemmed from complaints about the suspects' fraudulent activities related to the pawning and mortgage of a property located in Sucat, Muntinlupa City.
The suspects allegedly enticed victims with promises of substantial profits, using notarized contracts to lend an appearance of legality to their transactions.
During the operation, authorities recovered genuine a PHP1,000 bill on top of boodle money, three original sets of a contract to sell the property, two sets of acknowledgment receipts totaling PHP500,000, identification cards, mobile phones, and a gray Mitsubishi Expander registered to alias Christina while a Glock .9mm pistol was found in the possession of 'Daniel'.
Further investigation revealed that Alec had previously been convicted for violation of Batas Pambansa 22 (Bouncing Check Law) by a court in Valenzuela City and was ordered to pay a fine of PHP400,000 and PHP1,000,000 as civil liability.
During the conduct of booking of the suspects, previous victims of the suspects appeared at the SPD's District Special Operations Unit office and manifested willingness to file additional complaints of large-scale or syndicated estafa supported by witness affidavits and substantial evidence. (PNA)