5 nabbed for illegal notary

MANILA, Philippines — Five people were arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation over alleged illegal notary public service in Manila, the NBI reported yesterday.

Agents of the NBI-Fraud and Financial Crimes Division conducted the operation on April 23 following a complaint from a commissioned notary public who reported that her notarial commission, including her stamp and seal, was being used without her consent.

The complainant also alleged that her signature was being falsified in notarized documents.

Authorities verified the report through a test-buy operation, which confirmed that the suspects were using the complainant’s notarial details and forging her signature.

An entrapment operation was conducted after an NBI agent posed as a client and submitted an affidavit of loss for notarization.

The suspects will face charges of falsification of public documents, possession of instruments intended for falsification and attempted estafa.