An Australian and his Filipina wife have been arrested for fraud after allegedly conning investors in a bogus software company.
The National Bureau of Investigation’s Operations Division arrested Michael Ross Conroy and his wife, Teresita Mendoza-Conroy, at La Verti Residences North Tower in Pasay City last Tuesday (August 7).
NBI Director Dante Gierran said the couple had previously been convicted by a court in Makati for ‘estafa’, or fraud, and had pending cases against them for issuing cheques without sufficient funds or credit.
He added that the couple was already facing estafa charges before regional trial courts in Marawi and Cabadbaran cities, which also issued warrants for their arrest.
The NBI learned about the couple after two would-be investors went to the bureau to complain about the husband and wife. They alleged the couple had urged them to invest in their computer software firm. They were told the deal would make them part-owners and deliver “hefty” returns.
Dominicio Lancian and Jakerson Gargallo, the complainants, alleged that the couple asked them to invest 300,000 pesos each and guaranteed a return of 42 million. The couple assured them such profits were possible because of forthcoming elections in 2019 — they claimed their software could be used for political campaigning.
Fortunately for the the pair, they hear from other prospective investors that arrest warrants were out against the Conroys before they invested their money.
“When the complainants sought the help of the NBI about the modus of the couple, the NBI conducted a record check and found out that the couple have existing warrants, so the NBI implemented those orders,” Nick Suarez, NBI spokesman, told GMA News.
The husband and wife remain in detention as charges are prepared against them.
Follow our Facebook page for daily news updates
…