The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested a group selling fake gold bars online in San Mateo, Rizal.
John Consulta told GMA News “24 Oras” on Thursday that the NBI-Anti-Cybercrime Division arrested three suspects through an entrapment operation.
Authorities recovered a fake gold bar and a chunk of counterfeit gold from the suspects.
According to Michelle Valdez, executive officer, NBI-CCD, the suspects are selling fake gold bars online, and they are telling customers that they got it from mines in Mindanao.
To convince their victims, Valdez said the suspects use real gold powder when the clients first test the product.
Jerlie Mariano, one of the suspects, explained that he committed illegal activity because he was also deceived in the past and due to poverty.
Meanwhile, another suspect who was a retired soldier, Roberto dela Pena, insisted the group used him.
The NBI also reminds the public not to rely solely on internet transactions.
Also read: Alleged member of Chinese triad arrested in Laguna
Duterte warns public against online scammers
President Rodrigo Duterte warned the public against scammers who are taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to fool customers, shifting to online shopping in fear of acquiring the virus outside.
“Do not fall for that thing, online. Nobody has perfected this thing,” Duterte said in a taped briefing with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases aired Friday morning.
“They are perpetrating this on the public,” Duterte added.
The President specifically mentioned those selling face masks on the internet. The government required everyone to wear a face mask when going outside.
“Wag kayong bumili ng mga online-online na lalo na magpadala ka ng pera, I’d like to address this to everybody. Ang iyo dyan is, i-deliver mo, tapos tignan mo yung maskara, kung hindi sangayon sa inorder mo, papasukin mo sa loob ‘yung nagdala ng mask, talian mo,” Duterte said.
“Kung ako, iyan ang gawin ko sa inyo: talian ko iyong paa ninyo, pati kamay ninyo, saksakan ko iyong bunganga ninyo ng medyas niyong mabaho, limang araw na walang laba. Tapos talian ko ng panyo. Ihulog kita sa Pasig [River],” he added.
Duterte also asked the people not to buy from businesses that use his name.
“Huwag kayo magpaloko lalo na ‘yung mag gamit ng pangalan ko kasi ‘yung mag gamit ng pangalan ko, sigurado palpak ‘yan, raket ‘yan, krimen ‘yan,” Duterte said.
“Kasi kung negosyo mo tama, walang problema, eh bakit gamitin mo pangalan ko?” he added. “Maski sinong magdala na Duterte siya, do not entertain.”