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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider NBI arrests woman 'engaged in real estate scam'

NBI arrests woman 'engaged in real estate scam'

Published Mar 8, 2026 12:51 pm  |  Updated Mar 8, 2026 01:46 pm
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested a woman for her alleged involvement in a real estate scam in Koronadal City, South Cotabato.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag identified her as Lilah May T. Villaruel of P&N Real Estate Services.
Villaruel will be charged with violations of Republic Act No. 9646, the Real Estate Service Act; Presidential Decree No. 957, the Subdivision and Condominium Buyers' Protective Decree of 1976; and estafa under Article 315(2) of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).
The NBI said Villaruel was arrested last March 5 during an entrapment operation conducted by operatives of the NBI Central Mindanao Regional Office (NBI-CEMRO) inside the P&N office in Koronadal City.
During the entrapment operation, the bureau said “agents entered the premises and caught Villaruel in the act of counting the marked money used as down payment for the purchase of a subdivision lot.”
It said that the entrapment operation was conducted after the NBI-CEMRO received a complaint from Sahar Carumba Kaddoura who alleged that portions of a parcel of land located at Purok Everlasting, Barangay New Pangasinan, Koronadal City were being marketed and sold without the authority of the legitimate heirs of the registered owner Teodorico Paraico.
“Investigation revealed that the property was being offered for sale using a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) purportedly executed by Paraico in 2022. However, records show that the registered owner died in 1979, casting serious doubt on the authenticity of the document used in the transaction,” the NBI said.
It also said that verification with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) showed that Villaruel was not a licensed real estate practitioner, a violation of RA 9646.
At the same time, it said the property was being marketed through P&N Real Estate Services without the required authority from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), in violation of PD 957.
Matibag said: “We urge the public to exercise due diligence when purchasing real estate properties. Always verify the legitimacy of brokers, agents, and supporting documents through the proper government agencies before entering into any transaction. The NBI will continue to pursue individuals who engage in fraudulent schemes that victimize unsuspecting property buyers.”
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