A 72-year-old grandmother became a victim of a land registration scam after dealing with a man impersonating a former employee of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested the suspect, who allegedly swindled her out of P700,000.
Details of the Scam
The suspect promised to leverage his connections to facilitate the registration of the victim’s land property located in Rizal province. However, investigators later confirmed that he had no actual ties to the DENR or the Land Registration Authority.
He had a false representation that he’s capable of processing all the documents that would eventually lead to the registration of the land where our complainant’s house is located.
Palmer Mallari, NBI Spokesperson
Mallari also stated that after failing to deliver on his promises, the suspect fled. Following a complaint filed with the NBI’s Organized and Transnational Crimes Division (OTCD), charges of estafa were filed, leading to an arrest warrant.
Law Enforcement Response
The suspect had been evading capture since the arrest warrant was issued months ago. The NBI utilized technical surveillance to locate him, confirming he had reportedly victimized others using the same approach.
On July 8, law enforcement apprehended the fraudster during an entrapment operation in Marikina City. He is currently in custody and is set to face charges in court.
This case serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by senior citizens in the Philippines, particularly regarding land transactions. The prevalence of such scams emphasizes the need for greater public awareness and protection.