Beware of estafa syndicate victimizing big manufacturers, food firm warns

A big food company yesterday warned businessmen and sales distributors against an estafa syndicate who allegedly claims to have close ties with high ranking government officials.

Food Sphere Inc. (FSI) said the syndicate duped the Valenzuela-based company of some P2.2 million worth of canned goods two months ago using the name of a high government official.

The group, called Luciano syndicate and is allegedly led by a certain Felix Luciano who also goes by the name Bryan and Sammy Gaspar, continues to do business with unsuspecting food companies.

FSI officials said the group begins with three or more legitimate product purchases and on time payment of the goods.

Luciano allegedly managed to establish trust between him and sales agents of the food company before he made a huge order for canned goods on March 2, 2004.

The order was hundreds of corned beef products worth some P2.2 million which would be used for a miting de avance in Pampanga.

Upon delivery of the goods, Luciano allegedly issued a Metrobank post-dated check as payment and disappeared before the food company realized that they had been swindled.

FSI officials tried to locate Luciano and his group but could not find them at the latter’s residence which was listed as No. 7 Adriano St. Fairmont 1 Subdivision, Fairview, Quezon City.

The house which also served as his office and warehouse, turned out to be a rented place which he vacated days before the check he issued was due for encashment.

FSI, after several days, eventually monitored the sale of their products at bargain prices allegedly being distributed by an unknown group.

With the help of policemen in an entrapment operation, the items turned out to be the stolen corned beef they have been looking for. Two persons, Luciano’s alleged cohorts identified as Ryan and Ronaldo Limuco, were nabbed and were charged with theft in the local courts of Malabon and Navotas.

The Limucos denied working for Luciano which sent FSI back to square one in so far as the search for the estafa head is concerned.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has been alerted of Luciano’s activities and will be filing estafa charges against him before the Quezon City Prosecutors Office (QCPO).

Luciano and his cohorts were allegedly able to victimize several other big business companies like Zesto, Moonies, Virginia Foods, and United Grocers. Food Sphere is one of the syndicate’s latest victim and the company is not about to let go of their collectibles.

Senior Agent Glen Peralta of the National Bureau of Investigation-National Capital Region (NBI-NCR) said formal charges against Luciano will be lodged by next week.

According to him, all information necessary for the filing of the case have been prepared and will form part of the complaint.