'Leader of syndicate' producing 'fake' LTO registrations, receipts, licenses arrested
A suspected leader of a syndicate that has been producing fake registrations, official receipts and licenses of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has been arrested in Agusan del Norte, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said.
In a statement, the NBI said the fake LTO motor vehicle registrations and official receipts were used as collateral to secure loans.
The NBI identified the suspect as Ely Cusap who was arrested during an entrapment operation conducted by the NBI Agusan del Norte District Office (NBI-ADSDO) in Cabadbaran City last July 29.
“Cusap, identified as the syndicate's leader, was caught red-handed as he turned over fraudulent LTO documents and received three marked 1000-peso bills from an NBI poseur buyer,” it said.
The NBI said that while Cusap was being informed of his constitutional rights during his arrest, NBI operatives discovered a trove of incriminating evidence on the premises.
Seized were 127 blank LTO driver’s licenses cards, 127 blank LTO certificates of registration, 17 blank LTO official receipts, one Philippine National Police (PNP) micro etching certificate, 10 photocopied filled-up official receipts, one dry seal, one LTO certificate of registration, 1 USB flash drive, three mobile phones, a web cam, and one desktop computer, it also said.
The operation stemmed from a complaint filed by a resident of Agusan del Sur. The complainant, the NBI said, alleged he has been defrauded of millions of pesos in loans granted using fake LTO documents.