Woman nabbed over unauthorized purchase using lawyer’s credit card

CEBU, Philippines —  A 43-year-old woman was arrested after allegedly using a lawyer’s credit card to buy P21,000 worth of medicines at Watsons Pharmacy inside a Cebu City mall at around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13.

Police identified the suspect as Karina Arguelles Rocero, single and unemployed. Authorities have yet to confirm her place of residence.

The victim, Atty. Kristine Joy Padin Argallon, a 32-year-old resident of Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City, identified Rocero as the person allegedly involved in the incident.

According to the police report, a Watsons employee sought assistance from mall security after a credit card transaction was flagged as unauthorized.

Security guard Rustom Baro Nacilla, 31, responded to the report and intercepted the suspect in connection with the transaction.

The victim said her wallet, which contained several credit cards and government-issued identification cards, had gone missing. She later received an email notification about a purchase of medicines using her credit card that she had not authorized.

Recovered during the incident were several credit cards, government-issued identification cards, and a Watsons Pharmacy transaction receipt for the P21,000 purchase.

The suspect and the recovered items were brought to the police station for documentation and further investigation. The incident was reported to police at around 10:30 p.m. on the same day.

Rocero is being investigated for possible theft under Article 308 of the Revised Penal Code and a possible violation of Republic Act 8484, or the Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998.

The filing of appropriate charges will depend on the results of the investigation and evaluation of the available evidence.

Mabolo Police Station reminded the public to keep their wallets, credit cards, and other payment instruments secure.

Cardholders were also advised to regularly check their transactions, enable transaction alerts when available, and immediately report lost or stolen cards and unauthorized transactions to their card issuers and the proper authorities.