Man nabbed for posing as NBI agent, defrauding victim of P10M
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MANILA, Philippines — A 50-year-old man was arrested for allegedly posing as a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) intelligence officer, the Southern Police District (SPD) said on Tuesday.
According to the SPD report, the suspect, who hails from Bulacan, allegedly tricked a Chinese businessman into thinking he could facilitate the release of 20 Chinese nationals arrested recently during an NBI Anti-Cybercrime Unit operation at a bar in Parañaque City.
The SPD did not detail when the NBI operation took place.
The suspect was identified as “Crisanto” and the victim as “Chen,” a 38-year-old Chinese businessman from Makati City.
The SPD said the suspect and the victim were introduced to each other by Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers acting as intermediaries and who were unaware of the suspect’s fake identity.
Article continues after this advertisementThe suspect and the victim met up at 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 20 at the parking lot of a seafood restaurant in Pasay City where the latter handed over P10 million in cash.
Article continues after this advertisementHowever, after the detained Chinese nationals remained in NBI custody even after paying the suspect, the victim filed a complaint with the Pasay City Police Station on Feb. 21.
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Pasay police arrested the suspect in Tondo, Manila at 9:15 p.m. on Feb. 23, recovering from him P1 million in cash as well as a pick-up truck said to have been purchased on Feb. 22 with the money defrauded from the victim.
The suspect is under the custody of the Pasay City Police Station and will be charged with swindling/estafa and usurpation of authority before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office.
黑料社 has sought comment from the NBI and the BI but has yet to receive a response from them.
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“This arrest sends a strong message that deception and abuse of authority will not be tolerated,” SPD District Director Brig. Gen. Manuel Abrugena said in a statement.
“Our law enforcement officers remain committed to ensuring that criminals who exploit and defraud innocent individuals are brought to justice. We encourage the public to remain vigilant and immediately report suspicious activities to authorities,” Abrugena added.
