'Bogus' SC employee arrested for 'demanding fee for non-appearance in marriage annulment cases'
A woman, who allegedly misrepresented herself as an employee of the Supreme Court (SC) and reportedly offered services for non-appearance in marriage annulment cases for a fee, has been arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
The NBI identified her as Jay Ann Balabagno who was arrested during an entrapment operation in Quezon City last March 7.
It said that Balagno was in cahoots with an alleged military personnel, Daylen A. Justibaste, who remains at large.
Charges of violations of Article 315 on estafa under the Revised Penal Code in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act, and Section 21(h) of RA 11032, the Anti-Red Tape Act, have been filed against Balabagno and Justibaste, the NBI also said in a statement.
It said its Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) conducted the operation after receipt of information that Balabagno has been “offering non-appearance services for annulment cases while posing as an employee of the Supreme Court.”
Prior to the operation, it said that NBI-CCD agents, who acted as poseur clients, “were able to speak through Facebook with Balabagno’s principal, Military Personnel Daylen A. Justimbaste (still at large), who vouched for the truthfulness of the offer for annulment.”
The NBI did not state how much money Balabagno demanded for non-appearance in marriage annulment cases.