OPERATIVES of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) and Las Pinas City police have arrested two Nigerians and their Filipina cohort in Las Piñas City for involvement in an online love scam.
The ACG named the suspects as Nigerians Precious Oghogno Samuel, 23 and Ushahemba Geoffrey Ijirzua, 23; and Filipina Leanna Veronica Padua, 23.
They were nabbed by ACG and Las Piñas policemen last Saturday afternoon for violation of Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code (swindling/estafa) and Section 6 of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
The ACG said Samuel, using the alias Philip Brian, befriended a 55-year-old female through a social media site and “their online affairs continued using smart mobile phone applications.
“Through the use of deceitful words and false promises, the suspects borrowed money from the female complainant in the total amount of P230,000 through money transfer,” the ACG said.
The victim sent the money to Padua, through five money transfer transactions — four of which were claimed in Barangay Pulang Lupa Uno in Las Piñas City and the fifth at a mall in the city.
Seized from the suspects’ possession were three mobile phones.
They are under the custody of the Southern District Anti-Cybercrime Team “for documentation and filing of appropriate charges.”
Col. Redrico Maranan, chief of the PNP Public Information Office, reminded the public to be cautious with their social activities.
“Our continuing reminder to the public is not to fully trust people they are talking to in internet or dating sites, especially if it involves money,” said Maranan.
Maranan also urged people who have been victimized by similar online scams to come forward so the suspects would be arrested.
