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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Luxury bag's tracking device leads QC cops to ₱3-M scam suspect

Luxury bag's tracking device leads QC cops to ₱3-M scam suspect

Published Jul 27, 2026 09:17 am
The Fendi handbag equipped with an AirTag that led police to the suspect in the alleged ₱3-million scam. (Photo courtesy of QCPD)
The Fendi handbag equipped with an AirTag that led police to the suspect in the alleged ₱3-million scam. (Photo courtesy of QCPD)
A 31-year-old man who allegedly posed as a Taiwanese national and scammed a woman of ₱3 million was arrested after an AirTag in her handbag led police to his residence in Barangay Payatas, Quezon City, early Thursday, July 23.
The suspect, identified only as alias “Mic,” allegedly contacted the victim’s recruitment agency on July 2 and claimed that he could facilitate its accreditation to deploy overseas Filipino workers to Taiwan through the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA).
He allegedly told the victim that the accreditation process required the agency to open a US dollar account as financial assurance.
Believing the suspect’s claims, the victim withdrew ₱3 million from her bank accounts on July 22 and exchanged the money for $72,000 through him as part of the supposed accreditation process.
The victim later met the suspect at a pre-arranged hotel in Quezon City.
After receiving the money, the suspect allegedly told the victim that he would get the US dollars from his nearby vehicle.
He also allegedly asked to use the victim’s Fendi handbag, which contained the cash, Louis Vuitton sunglasses, and an iPhone 12 Pro Max, claiming it would be more convenient to carry the money.
The suspect then boarded an elevator and allegedly failed to return.
After waiting for several hours and repeatedly trying to contact him, the victim sought help from hotel security personnel and later reported the incident to Eastwood Police Station (PS 12).
The case was subsequently referred to the Quezon City Police District-Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (QCPD-CIDU) for further investigation.
During the investigation, the victim told police that her Fendi handbag was equipped with an AirTag tracking device.
CIDU operatives used the device’s real-time location to track the suspect to his residence in Barangay Payatas, where he was arrested at around 6 a.m.
Police recovered ₱2.8 million in cash, the victim’s Fendi handbag worth ₱300,000, and Louis Vuitton sunglasses valued at ₱45,000.
The victim’s iPhone 12 Pro Max, valued at ₱90,000, remains missing.
The suspect will be charged with estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

Related Tags

METRONEWS AirTag scam estafa Quezon City QCPD Payatas Taiwanese national recruitment agency OFW Taiwan Fendi handbag Louis Vuitton sunglasses
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