MMDA, QCPD nab 3 men selling fake MMFF complimentary tickets online
Joint operatives of the Quezon City Police District and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) arrested three people for allegedly selling complimentary tickets for the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
MMDA chairman Don Artes said they sought the assistance of the QCPD through its director, Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, after receiving reports that MMFF complimentary tickets were being sold through Facebook for P1,300 to P1,500.
In response, Maranan sent a team from QCPD-Special Operations Unit wjhich resulted in the arrest of the three suspects.
Based on the investigation, the suspects already sold 46 tickets through Facebook.
Artes said Initial transaction was done through online selling wherein one of the suspects and the poseur buyer met up for the ticket last Dec.14 in Quezon City.
The ticket was later certified by the MMFF Secretariat as fake.
Consequently, an entrapment operation was done to apprehend the first suspect who eventually revealed his cohort whom yielded 42 counterfeit tickets.
During the interrogation, the two revealed their source of the MMFF tickets who was also apprehended later.
“I strongly condemn the acts of these enterprising individuals who are using the Metro Manila Film Festival as a business venture by selling fake complimentary tickets.These passes are strictly not for sale and no persons or groups are authorized to distribute them for sales or any profiteering purposes,” said Artes.
“I urge the public not to patronize MMFF tickets sold online and instead report to us these unlawful activities. Anyone who will be caught selling or buying complimentary tickets shall be sanctioned in accordance with the law,” he added.
The three arrested suspects have already undergone inquest procedure and will be charged with Estafa through Falsification of Public Documents in relation to Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
They are now in the custody of the police.