By DIANN IVY CALUCIN
Members of the Quezon City District Anti-Cybercrime Team (QCDACT) arrested two women for identity theft in an entrapment operation in Malate, Manila, on Sunday, Nov. 6.
Lt. Michael Bernardo, QCDACT officer-in-charge, identified the suspects as Allaine Santos, 32, and Maina Francisco, 20, both residents of M.H Del Pilar Street, Brgy. 701, Malate, Manila.
Based on the investigation, QCDACT received a complaint from Mahalia Vilaga, 27, of Antique St., Bago Bantay, Quezon City, that a Facebook account is using her name and photos without her permission.
Villaga said that last Oct. 29, she received messages from different Facebook accounts informing her that they had been victims of alleged online scams of a fake Facebook account under her name.
The QCDACT officers advised Villaga to interact with the fake FB account and get information for a possible entrapment operation.
The team launched the operation after the suspects demanded money in exchange for deleting the fake FB account.
According to the QCDACT report, the suspects were collared at Paul John General Merchandise remittance store, 2130 Sanrise Place, Malate Manila, at 11:05 a.m.
Confiscated from the suspects were two smart phones, three P1,000 bills, and a remittance cash-out receipt.
The suspects are currently under the custody of QCDACT and will undergo inquest proceedings before QC Prosecutor's Office.
The suspects will be charged for violations for Section 4 (Computer Related Identity Theft) and Section 5 (Abetting in the Commission of Cybercrime) of Republic Act 10175.