A Cameroonian man was arrested by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) for an alleged estafa case and for yielding counterfeit money amounting to P4.1 milllion during an operation in Mandaluyong City on Thursday, Oct. 24.
The suspect was identified as Marcel Wenong Tezock, 40. Police also nabbed his live-in partner, Kuhle Nkomo, a 25-year-old Zimbabwean national.
An arresting team from the NCRPO initially served a warrant of arrest to Tezock for an alleged estafa case around 2 p.m. inside his rented room at a condominium building in Mandaluyong City.
During the execution of the arrest warrant, officers discovered several bundles of counterfeit US dollar and Philippine peso bills placed on top of a microwave oven and kitchen cabinet, the NCRPO said.
"Upon closer inspection, it was determined that the bills were printed in four pieces on a single sheet of paper, confirming their counterfeit nature. The counterfeit bills were subsequently confiscated," said Police Maj. Gen. Sidney Hernia, NCRPO director.
Nkomo, who was also in the apartment with Tezock at the time of the operation, was also collaresd by the police.
Agents from the Payments and Currency Investigation Group (PCIG) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) confirmed that the seized bills were indeed counterfeit.
According to NCRPO, Tezock has a history of arrests including for swindling violation in Taguig City on December 16, 2022; and a case of coercion on March 9, 2024 in Makati City.
"He was out on bail at the time of his recent arrest," Hernia said.
Hernia warned the public about the potential increase in counterfeit money circulation.
He said fake money could be used during this Christmas season, and to influence voters in the upcoming national and local elections next year.
"The NCRPO urges the public to utilize the 'Feel-Look-Tilt' method to verify the security features of new generation currency banknotes, as advised by the BSP," Hernia said.