Estafa case filed vs. dealers of "stolen" vehicle

CEBU, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation has filed a complaint for estafa against alleged car dealers of carnapped vehicles, one of whom has faced a string of estafa charges in court.

The case against Alma Toling Gonzales and Ariston Lee stemmed from a complaint filed by spouses Joselito and Fili Teresita Sulapas of Guadaville, Guadalupe.

The Sulapas couple said they bought a Toyota Innova from Gonsalez’ GA Motors located at Sikatuna and Rahman Streets sometime last year. They reportedly saw the vehicle being advertised in the newspaper.

They said the vehicle was registered under the name of Lee whose address is in Subangdaku, Mandaue City. Both Gonzales and Lee allegedly assured them that the vehicle is free from liens and encumbrances and most of all, was not carnapped.

The couple said they decided to buy the vehicle for P550,000 plus their old Nissan Serena which the accused appraised at P150,000.

The complainants said they issued a check amounting to P550,000 to Gonzales, which the latter reportedly converted to cash before the Toyota Innova was released to them. A Deed of Absolute Sale was immediately issued on March 5, 2008.

However, around 11am on January 8, 2009, while Joselito was driving the car along Fuente Osmeña, he reportedly flagged down by the members of the Regional Highway Patrol Group and the vehicle was impounded for being allegedly carnapped.

The complainants said they demanded that Gonzales and Lee return their money and Nissan Serena but the respondents allegedly refused to heed their demands.

Even before the couple’s complaint, Gonzales has faced several complaints for estafa before the courts for allegedly selling stolen vehicles. – Fred P. Languido/JMO (THE FREEMAN)