Fake recruiter falls in entrapment

CEBU, Philippines - A 24-year-old woman accused of illegal recruitment was arrested in an entrapment operation conducted by the Investigation and Detective Management Branch (IDMB) Thursday evening at a fast food along Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City.

Shiena Aranas, 24, single and a resident of Barangay Camputhaw was arrested by a team led by Police Chief Inspector George Ylanan, IDMB chief.

Ylanan told The FREEMAN that the complainants, Ma. Katrina Catalan and Beatriz Piramide, assisted by her father Atty. Aven Piramide, appeared at their office accusing Aranas of using his daughter’s name in hiring Catalan for work as a call center agent.

But Aranas asked P12, 000 from Catalan as payment for the laptop she will be using in her work as a call center agent.

Aranas used the name of Beatriz Piramide, who is the HR Manager of People Support, to ask money from people who are interested in a call center agent work said Ylanan. Ylanan said that they planned for an entrapment operation since Catalan and Aranas were still contacting each other about the payment.

Catalan arrived at the said fast food establishment at around 7:30 p.m. and approached Aranas.

A few minutes later, Catalan gave Aranas the marked money so Ylanan and his team swooped in the arrest Aranas for Estafa.

Ylanan also said that Aranas was once an employer of the said company but had been absent without leave (AWOL). Ylanan added that Aranas is the daughter of a barangay captain in Barangay Taytayan, Bogo City.

The suspect refused to say anything, as she just covered her face after the arrest while she kept on crying. The FREEMAN sought comment from the suspect’s mother but she also refused to say anything.

Ylanan added that they are willing to help other people who may have been previously deceived by Aranas.

Aranas was brought to the IDMB Office and a complaint for estafa is being prepared against her. — THE FREEMAN