Senior duped in P405K 'budol-budol' scam; 4 nabbed in QC
By Trixee Rosel
Published May 22, 2026 02:55 pm
Suspects arrested by authorities in Quezon City for an alleged “budol-budol” scheme that victimized a senior citizen and led to the recovery of jewelry and other valuables. (Photo courtesy of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD)
Four men were arrested in Quezon City after allegedly duping a 62-year-old woman of jewelry worth about P405,000 in a “budol-budol” scheme in Quezon City on Tuesday, May 19.
Police identified the suspects as alias “Virgel,” 44, alias “Rodel,” 46, alias “Ceferino,” 45, all residents of Barangay Payatas, Quezon City, and alias “Demetrio,” 46, of Barangay Tala, Caloocan City.
Initial investigation showed that “Virgel” posed as a raffle promoter and convinced the victim that she had won a prize package, including cash and household items, in exchange for purchasing an LPG safety device.
He was later allowed entry into the victim’s home under the pretext of inspecting an LPG safety mechanism, where he photographed her identification documents and made her sign several papers.
The suspect then instructed the victim to place her jewelry—two gold necklaces, a men’s ring, a graduation ring, and a wedding ring—inside a body powder container, valued at about P405,000.
While the victim was distracted, the suspect’s cohort “Rodel” arrived and staged a fake medical emergency, prompting her to leave the container unattended before the suspects fled.
The victim later discovered the missing items and reported the incident to Police Station 13, triggering CCTV backtracking that identified a white Suzuki Multicab with plate number MBQ 7906.
Follow-up operations led to the arrest of “Virgel” at a gas station on Payatas Road, where a gold necklace belonging to the victim was recovered from his possession.
Subsequent operations resulted in the arrest of “Rodel” and “Ceferino,” both identified as cohorts in the scheme, in Barangay Payatas, Quezon City at around 8:00 p.m. on May 20, 2026.
Meanwhile, “Demetrio,” identified as the alleged getaway driver, was arrested in Barangay Tala, Caloocan City at 1:00 a.m. on May 21, 2026.
QCPD spokesperson Randy Glenn Silvio said the suspects will face charges of estafa before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office, as authorities continue to warn the public against “budol-budol” schemes and similar deception tactics.