Cellphone dealer faces P2M estafa plaint at NBI

A company engaged in wholesale and retail business of cellular phones and prepaid cards has lodged a P2-million estafa complaint before the National Bureau of Investigation against a dealer of cellular phones and accessories.

The officials of Integrated Distribution Network Incorporated complained that Delia Simon, who owns Teletec Cellshop located along General Maxilom Avenue, defrauded them by purchasing various cellcards amounting to P1.9 million.

Dianeta Eboran, finance manager of INDI, in her affidavit said that Simon purchased from them 4,000 pieces of P300 Globe prepaid cards, 6,750 pieces P100 Globe cards and 1,000 pieces of Touch Mobile prepaid cards last September 28. But instead of paying in cash, Simon allegedly issued a personal check.

Eboran said that she did not agree at first but the suspect allegedly assured her that the checks will be "in-cleared" the following day. To convince her, Eboran said that Simon offered to issue checks worth P2 million instead of P1.9 million, which is the total worth of her purchases.

Prodded by the suspect's enticements, Eboran said that she agreed to it and was issued four checks dated September 28 at P500,000 each. However, they were surprised that the following day the checks were not honored because there was no money deposited to the account.

Eboran said that they called up Simon about it and again the latter assured her that it will be funded very soon. According to Eboran, they again deposited the check on October 3 but was told by the bank that there are no funds deposited in the account.

Subsequent negotiations were made until October 9, but Simon allegedly failed to comply with her promises. Eboran together with Ronaldo Chua, INDI's distribution manager, went to the NBI yesterday to file a complaint.

The complainants wanted the NBI to initiate the filing of the case for estafa and violation of Batas Pambansa Bilang 22 otherwise known as Anti-Bouncing Check Law against Simon in court. - Fred P. Languido