The ₱64,000 marked money recovered from the two suspects arrested in an entrapment operation over an alleged “sangla-kolekta” scheme (Photo from Pasay City Police)
Two men were arrested in Pasay City after allegedly duping a mechanical engineer into handing over ₱300,000 in a loan deal that used a condominium unit they did not own as collateral.
Pasay City police chief Col. Joselito De Sesto identified the suspects as Raymundo, 45, of Salog, Hinunungan, Southern Leyte, and Joey, 45, of Pasig City.
The suspects were arrested at about 11:20 p.m. on August 17 at Texas Roadhouse in S Maison, Coral Way, Mall of Asia Complex, Barangay 76.
Police said the 33-year-old victim, identified as Jeffrey, a mechanical engineer and resident of Bangkal, Makati City, reported the incident after discovering that the condominium unit presented as collateral was not registered under the suspects’ names.
According to De Sesto, Jeffrey met the suspects at a mall on Aug. 13 and agreed to a loan transaction covered by a “Loan Agreement with Condominium Rental Agreement.” The arrangement was allegedly presented to him as a “sangla-kolekta” scheme, in which the condominium unit would serve as collateral.
After giving the suspects ₱300,000, Jeffrey went to Tower A of Sea Residences to verify the ownership of Unit 418. Police said condominium management informed him that the suspects were not the registered owners of the unit.
Jeffrey then sought police assistance, prompting authorities to set up an entrapment operation. Police said the victim agreed to meet the suspects again and offered another ₱64,000 under the same supposed investment arrangement.
When Jeffrey handed over the marked money, he gave the pre-arranged signal, prompting police operatives to arrest the suspects.
Authorities recovered the ₱64,000 marked money, assorted identification cards, a black Redmi 15 Android phone, and a sky-blue Realme C51 Android phone.
The two suspects are now detained at the police custodial facility and face charges for violation of Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code, or estafa.