Tracking device leads cops to swindler

MANILA, Philippines —  A tracking device installed in a luxury bag helped police in tracing a man who took P3.43 million in cash and valuables from a recruitment firm official yesterday, the National Capital Region Police Office announced.

NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said the suspect, identified as Michael Dave Tan, posed as a representative of an organization responsible for accrediting agencies that deploy Filipino workers abroad.

Tan introduced himself as a Taiwanese and met with the victim for a transaction involving job orders in Taiwan, Aberin said.

Initial investigation showed that Tan told the victim that her recruitment agency is required to open a US dollar account with an initial deposit of $100,000 as financial assurance for the accreditation process.

After the victim withdrew P3 million from her bank accounts, Tan allegedly borrowed the victim’s luxury handbag and left.

Suspecting she had been duped, the victim sought police assistance.

Unknown to Tan, the handbag he took contained a tracking device, which allowed police to pinpoint his location in Payatas.

The suspect was in possession of P2.8 million in cash, the victim’s luxury handbag and designer sunglasses.

“Modern technology, when complemented by effective police work and timely information, can significantly enhance criminal investigations,” Aberin said in a statement.     

Charges were filed against the suspect.