Cop loses money to fake jeweler

MANILA, Philippines — A police officer lost P42,800 when he was duped by a fake online jeweler, the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) reported yesterday.

John Paul Pitahin, a policeman assigned with the Special Action Force (SAF), told investigators he closed a deal with a certain Timikko Santos on Facebook for a gold bracelet in exchange for P28,500, which he sent to a GCash account number sent by the suspect.

The victim contacted Santos again on Facebook after the bracelet was not delivered to him.

The suspect explained there was an error in the delivery and offered Pitahin a better deal for an additional P14,300.

The victim reported to the ACG, which then conducted an entrapment operation.

Police arrested Hilda Borja, 23, at a remittance center in Dasmariñas City, Cavite on Thursday at around 11:30 a.m.

During interrogation, Borja denied she was involved in the case and that she only had Santos’ GCash account number verified using her personal information.

Police are preparing charges of estafa in relation to Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act against Santos and Borja.