NBI arrests woman who tried to collect P200-M

The National Bureau of Investigation arrested a woman posing as a socialite and attempted to collect P200 million for the sale of a building.

The NBI identified the suspect as Maria Fe Cruz, who identified herself as “Ginger King Villavicencio” and sold Wilcon Builders a building in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

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However, all her documents and ID turned out to be fake.

Cruz declined to comment on the allegations.

In another follow-up operation, Jose Pabustan, the alleged mastermind who allegedly handled the forgery of documents and IDs, was arrested.

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According to the broker of Wilcon Builders, they thought the suspect was telling the truth because the title, Securities and Exchange Commission registration, and other documents he showed looked original.

They also allegedly made a downpayment of P20 million.

They said they only received a warning that the suspect was not a real socialite when the purchase of the building was declared to another broker.

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The two suspects were arrested in 2019 for estafa, according to the NBI.

They are now charged with syndicated estafa as well as 4 of their accomplices.

NBI arrests woman who tried to collect P200-M

NBI Special Action Unit Executive Officer Kristine Dela Cruz warned the public always to double-check the transactions.

The NBI also explains the bank used by the suspects.

It turns out they were able to open a corporate account using the name and company they imitated.

But according to the bank, they are also just victims, especially since they investigated the documents submitted to them and did not find a bad record.

Meanwhile, a 57-year-old woman fell into jail after pretending to be an employee of the Bureau of Immigration and charging her foreign victim P110,000 for speedy visa processing.

In a report by John Consulta on G MA News “24 Oras,” the suspect was identified as 57-year-old Melinda Pandey.

A video shows Pandey and the complainant meeting at a coffee shop opposite the Bureau of Immigration.

Agents of the NBI Anti-Fraud Division rushed when the suspect obtained the P10,000 marked money.

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