Fake BOC worker-slash-port director dangles unreleased customs items to victims
An individual who has been posing as both a Bureau of Customs (BOC) employee and a port director has been arrested for allegedly duping buyers over supposed unreleased items to gain a large sum of money, the BOC said Wednesday, June 23.

The BOC identified the suspect as Macario Samson, alias "Intsik". He allegedly introduces himself to potential clients as one Emmanuel T. Dizon from the BOC and as one Director Steven So Chan from the International Container Terminal Inc. (ICTSI).
The suspect was collared during an operation initiated by the Intelligence Group-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (IG-CIIS) and Manila Police District (MPD).
Investigations showed that Samsom offered to sell a motorcycle worth P300,000 to a victim, whom he asked to pay for a P230,000 downpayment to settle the release of the unit from customs.
But after paying up, the vicrim could no longer reach the suspect, prompting the former to file a complaint before the authorities.
A bunch of fake identification cards were found in Samson's possession following his arrest.
According to the bureau, the suspect is facing possible charges of estafa, falsification of public documents, and usurpation of authority under the revised penal code (RPC).
The BOC warned the public against such unscrupulous activities and stressed that careful scrutiny must be done especially for transactions done online.
It also reminded the public to be wary of individuals who introduce themselves as BOC employees for the purpose of selling supposed items held by customs. The public may report such incidents to BOC textline 8484 or call BOC hotline 8705-6000.