Authorities Arrest Fake Customs Employee for Scamming Several Individuals
MANILA PHILIPPINES – The authorities arrest a fake customs employee after allegedly scamming car buyers.
A woman pretending to be an employee of the Bureau of Customs has been arrested after allegedly scamming several people, including a buyer from Ilocos Sur, and collecting over P1 million through fake vehicle deals.
The suspect, a 45-year-old woman, was caught by authorities from the Manila Police District Station 13. According to police reports, her scheme would start on social media, where she would post about cars and other vehicles supposedly for sale at cheap prices.
The woman would introduce herself as someone connected with the Bureau of Customs and even show IDs to appear convincing.
Once she gained the trust of her target, she would arrange a meet-up. During these meetings, she would collect payment and claim she needed to go to the bank or back to the Customs office, but she never returned.
Victims were left waiting with no car and no way to contact her again. One of the latest victims was tricked into buying a tractor head and handed over P1.2 million during a meeting in Barangay 650, Port Area, Manila.
In another post, Customs confiscated p10-b worth of fake products in Binondo
It was later found out that this wasn’t the suspect’s first time using this scam. In March, she allegedly ran off with P5.5 million from someone hoping to buy a sports car. Just last July, she also took P2.2 million from another victim for a supposed tractor sale.
The suspect is now under police custody and facing charges of estafa. Authorities are continuing their investigation to see if more people have fallen for her scam.
Meanwhile, police are reminding the public to be cautious when making large purchases, especially online or through unfamiliar sources.
The social media users expressed their reactions to the incident:
