A Mandaue City businessman was defrauded of P5.3 million in a fuel scam, prompting the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) to intervene. The incident highlights ongoing issues in the fuel trading sector.
Details of the Scam
Diesel right now is at P88. And they are selling it for P53 only.
Maria Contessa Lastimoso, NBI-7 Agent
- Victim paid P5.3 million for 100,000 liters of diesel.
- Payment made on July 26 at P53 per liter, significantly below market price.
The victim discovered the offer through referrals from other contractors and was lured by the unusually low price. The suspects claimed to represent Eight Eleven Heavy Equipment Parts Supply, allegedly having diesel allocated from a Shell depot.
After the initial payment, the delivery never occurred. Instead, the suspects demanded an additional P575,000 due to alleged rising fuel prices.
On July 27, the victim transferred P100,000 but still received no fuel. Frustrated, he sought assistance from the NBI-7, which then organized an entrapment operation.
The arrest took place at a coffee shop in a mall on August 3, where the suspect was apprehended after accepting marked bills.
The NBI has filed complaints against the suspect for estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code and violating Section 2(a) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 33, which addresses illegal petroleum trading.
This incident underscores the importance of due diligence in business transactions, particularly in the petroleum industry, where scams can lead to significant financial losses.