Identity thief-scammer arrested in Cabuyao police operation

CAMP BGEN VICENTE P. LIM – Scammers using identity theft and estafa were arrested in a police operation conducted by Cabuyao City Police Station operatives.
The operation was launched in Brgy. Banlic, Cabuyao City, Laguna early on September 1 after the victim and witnesses with barangay officials sought assistance from the police.
Jazer Del Mundo y Maitim, 21, single, a resident of No. 178 Purok 2, Brgy. Banlic, Cabuyao City, Laguna, was arrested while his cohort was able to evade arrest. He was later identified as one Neil Patrick Magas alias ‘Potpot’, also of Brgy. Banlic.
The suspects connived in hacking the Facebook account of the victim, a freelancer identified as Andrew Capacete y Sescia, 30 , residing at Brgy. Marinig, Cabuyao City, Laguna.
After successfully assuming the identity of the victim, the suspects contacted the FB friends of the victim through Messenger and asked them for money, and several responded and sent different amounts through GCash.
Capacete and his friend, Estephanie Jonem, who also served as a witness, contacted the GCash account owner and the barangay officials of Brgy. Banlic.
They were able to accost Millen Milares, whom the suspect Del Mundo asked to collect the money from the GCash Encashment Store.
Later on, Milares, who turned witness, revealed the identity of Del Mundo to the victim and to the police, which led to Del Mundo’s arrest.
A case for Violation of Section 4a and 4b of Republic Act No. 10175 or Illegal Access and Computer-Related Identity Theft is being prepared before the City Prosecutors Office of Cabuyao City against Del Mundo.
PRO CALABARZON Acting Regional Director, Police Brigadier General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. warned the public to be on alert for this modus operandi.
“Let us be wary that criminals roam around cyberspace and for that reason, we have to guard our social media accounts and always think before clicking, more so if it is a suspicious unknown link.”
“These kinds of criminals will be phishing your identities to have access to your accounts, rob you of your bank deposits, or collect money from your friends and relatives,” Nartatez said.
He emphasized how critical time is in the conduct of the investigation and in arresting criminals.
“As you can see the immediate reporting and urgently acting upon on the incident have led to the arrest of the perpetrator. Time is a matter of importance in solving a crime, so I ask the public to report crime as soon as possible. You can be assured that your police will do their best to put them in jail.” Roy Tomandao