OPERATIVES of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested in Manila a swindler allegedly involved in a scam involving the recruitment of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel.
In a statement last Sunday night, the CIDG said the suspect, identified only as alias Morris, was arrested during an entrapment operation last Thursday at a fast-food restaurant on España Boulevard in Manila.
The CIDG said the suspect was caught in the act of receiving money from PCG applicants and is now facing charges of estafa/swindling.
The CIDG said the operation was conducted after it received complaints from PCG applicants that the suspect misrepresented himself as having connections to the PCG and demanded P350,000 from each applicant in exchange for their guaranteed entry to the PCG.
“The suspect was charged before the National Prosecution Service with violation of Article 315 (estafa/swindling) of the Revised Penal Code for false pretense or fraudulent representation as to his power, influence, qualifications, that can help the applicants in entering the Philippine Coast Guard,” the CIDG said.
CIDG director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the arrest of alias Morris “prevented and solved future scams and fraud and saved the unsuspecting applicants from giving their family’s hard-earned money to the swindler.”
