NBI nabs 2 suspected swindlers

 The National Bureau of Investigation yesterday arrested two women suspected of being big time swindlers during an entrapment operation following complaints that the they gave out false documents to job applicants.

Romalinda Ventura was arrested first by the NBI agents inside a mall in the city and later on arrested Lilibeth Tome in a follow-up operation.

Atty. Bernard de la Cruz, agent on case, said that they conducted the entrapment operation after they got complaints against Ventura and Toma on their alleged illegal transactions where they gave out endorsements to applicants who wanted to apply for a foundation that would assure them jobs abroad.

De la Cruz said that they would be filing a case today against the two for falsification of private and public documents

Robert Simacio and Vermel Cinco said that they sought the help of the authorities after they suspected that Tome and Ventura were deceiving them.

The complainants said they came from Mindanao and was looking for a place to stay in Cebu when they found the name of Tome in the internet who offered her services to help those looking for places to stay in.

After Tome was able to find a place for them the suspect asked what else that they need. The complainants claimed that they confided that they are looking for a job.

Tome allegedly offered to help them since their company is authorized to give endorsements for applicants to get in certain foundations that would train them for positions in Japan.

Both Simacio and Cinco said that they gave out money already, amounting to more than P50,000, for their endorsements.

Tome allegedly issued them ID’s of a company called Debevann’s Farm in Tugbungan Consolacion to make it appear that they have work experience already.

The complainants together with the NBI operatives found out that the company did not exist. Even the barangay officials in Tugbungan do not know the whereabouts of the said company.

Tome denied the allegations stating that their company is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry and that they have already sent out a lot of applicants to other countries and placed them in companies searching for skilled workers.

She admitted that the applicants have no work experience at all but they extended their services and give out certifications and endorsement which would look seem like the applicants have already worked before.

Tome said that they only ask for P6,000 for the certification rather than other placement agencies that ask for more than P60,000.

NBI agent de la Cruz said that Tome has pending complaints before their office.

He said that they will be continuing the verification of the companies and names involved with the Department of Trade and Industry and the other concerned government agencies.— AJ de la Torre/FPL