By Marie Tonette Grace Marticio PALO, Leyte – Eight vehicles involved in financial fraud schemes were recov­ered by the Regional Highway Patrol Unit in a joint operation with the Regional Intelligence Unit 8 in Hinunangan, South­ern Leyte. Sr. Supt. Lucilo Laguna Jr., Highway Patrol Regional chief, said the vehicles may have been pawned in a casino in Met­ro Manila and sold in Southern Leyte. "The complainants averred that the subject vehicles were sold and distributed by a certain Dondon Sinadjan Ofqueria of Cebu City," he said. Ofqueria is also linked to the sale of vehicles in Region 6, with a certain Juliet “Lilet” Monton, his live-in partner, and a native of Hinunangan. "The modus is made possible with the honest belief that the vehicles came from legitimate sources, and the documents they possess are authentic," he said. The Rent-Sangla, Rent-Tangay and Pasalo Scam are financial fraud schemes victimizing financial institutions, vehicle owners and buyers of motor vehicles. "It is committed when a certain motor vehicle is acquired by the syndicate thru said modus and sold at a very low price. Most vehicles involved are high-end or latest models using fictitious and spurious documents," Barcelo explained. Recovered were a Ford Ecosport Wagon with license plate IK-5341, a Toyota Innova (ABG-8109), a Mitsubishi Montero GLS (NL7911), a Nissan Urvan (DQ6044), a Toyota Vios (YP4737), a Ford Fiesta 1.5 L (ADA-1684), a Honda City (OW4763) and a Toyota Vios (AAO-2660). As of Jan. 9, cases of syndicated estafa have been filed against Ofqueria and Monton, Eleonor Rosales, Anthony Bonza, Vilma Monton, Jenelle Jubillo, Ronald Ocnas, Magdalino Bacoy, among others. Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos, Eastern Visayas police director, advised the pub­lic to verify first the identity of the seller of vehicles, and check with the nearest HPU and Land Transportation Office as to the authenticity of its documents. "I warn and notify everyone to be vigilant of those motor vehicles being sold at a lower price, and check its status if it is included in the list of sto­len or watch-listed vehicles in order to avoid being victimized by syndicates," Carlos said.