Intelligence operatives of the Baliwag City Police Station arrested two individuals in an entrapment operation for alleged swindling, estafa, robbery extortion, and falsification of public documents in Brgy. Bagong Nayon, Baliwag City, Bulacan on Monday, Jan. 9.
Based on the report received by Col. Relly B. Arnedo, Bulacan police director, the entrapment operation was conducted inside a fast-food restaurant at around 5:15 p.m. following a report from the victim.
The arrested suspects were identified as Melanie Pastrana, 49, a teacher, from Barangay Malipampang, San Ildefonso, and Christopher Verdillo, 46, driver, from Barangay Malamig, Bustos. They were arrested after they received the marked "boodle" money from the complainant.
Based on the initial transaction on July 8, 2022, a sum of P503,000 was received by the suspects as payment to facilitate and expedite the transaction for the transfer of the land title for a property acquired by the victim.
The victim claimed that the suspects failed to complete the transfer because the documents they provided from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) were allegedly fabricated.
The victim asked for the help of authorities when Pastrana and her cohort demanded an additional P500,000 in exchange for an immediate transaction for the transfer of the land title.
Appropriate criminal complaints are being prepared against the suspects who are presently detained at the Baliwag City police station.
Arnedo said the Bulacan police remain zealous in its efforts to bring before the bars of justice scrupulous individuals who take advantage of the crisis situation and lure innocent and vulnerable civilians to become victims of fraud and other abuse.