Three persons believed to be behind the P10-million “sangla-tira” estafa scheme were arrested by the police in Muntinlupa on Sept. 10.
The Southern Police District (SPD) Special Operations Unit arrested the suspects inside a restaurant in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa.
The suspects were identified as alias Alec, 28; alias Christina, 48; and alias Daniel, 36, who were all arrested based on multiple complaints received by the SPD.
The police operation inside a restaurant in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa on Sept. 10 (Photo from SPD)
According to the police, the complaints detailed alleged fraudulent activities related to the pawning and mortgage of a property located in Barangay Sucat, Muntinlupa.
The suspects allegedly enticed victims with promises of substantial profits, using notarized contracts to make it appear that the transactions were legal.
During the operation, the police recovered a genuine P1,000 bill on top of boodle money, three original sets of contracts to sell the property, two sets of acknowledgement receipts totaling P500,000, identification cards, mobile phones, and a vehicle registered to an alias Christina.
Daniel was also found in possession of a 9 mm pistol.
The police added Alec was previously convicted under Batas Pambansa No. 22 (bouncing check law) by the Valenzuela Municipal Trial Court Branch 101 and was ordered to pay a fine of P400,000.00 and P1,000,000 in civil liability.
During the booking of the suspects, previous victims appeared at the Special Operations Unit office and expressed their willingness to file additional complaints of large scale or syndicated estafa against them.