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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider 'Honey love' scam suspects arrested in Baguio

'Honey love' scam suspects arrested in Baguio

Published May 23, 2021 04:11 pm

BAGUIO CITY – Two “honey love” scam suspects were arrested in an entrapment operation while claiming the money sent by their victim in a remittance center on Marcos Highway here Friday, May 21.

Police Capt. Marnie Abellanida of the Police Regional Office-Cordillera identified the suspects as Williams John Ani, 29, a Nigerian pretending to be Lucas Chan, a civil engineer from South Korea, and Indira Geil Villanueva Duca, 25, a Filipino, who posed as “Sharon,” a Korean service agent, both temporarily residing at Bengao, Marcos Highway, this city.

Abellanida said the suspects were arrested following a complaint from a servicewoman of the Philippine Navy residing in Dasmarinas City, Cavite.

The suspects were arrested thru the joint efforts of personnel of the Manila International Airport Police Department, Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit- Cordillera (RACU-COR), and Baguio City Police Office (BCPO).

Investigation said Ani identified himself as Chan and told the victim via chat that he has sent a package containing Apple laptops, Iphone, watch, and cash.

The victim received a message saying that the package is already at the airport but she needs to pay Customs clearance amounting to P35,000.

However, after paying the amount to a certain “Analiza Fadriga Ellasos” thru a bank account, Duca got in touch with the victim and identified herself as Sharon and asked for P145,000 for the issuance of a Certificate of Money Laundering as the package was detected to contain dollar bills which is illegal.

The victim was threatened with imprisonment if she will not pay the amount. The complainant, already getting suspicious, decided to verify the tracking number of the luggage at the airport and found out that there was no such package sent.

She was further informed that it is the typical modus of con artists in the honey love scam using different social media platforms and or dating apps.

She continued chatting with the suspects and with the assistance of the airport police, an entrapment operation was planned and successfully conducted on May 21.

The suspects and the complainant were taken to Chapel Road, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Complex, Pasay City for proper disposition after a blotter report was filed at the Legarda Police Station here.

Suspects are facing charges of swindling/estafa (online scam) in line with Section 6 of Republic Act (RA)10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

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