OFW loses P1M to scam

CEBU, Philippines - An Oversees Filipino Worker lost P1 million to five alleged swindlers, four of whom were arrested by the police in a restaurant at the Plaza Independencia yesterday morning.

Mario Quiatan, 40, a resident of Mahayahay, Talisay City reported to the police after he realized that he fell victim to a scam.

Quiatan was allegedly duped into purchasing P1 million worth of alum powder or tawas from the suspects- Herman Gaganti, 49; Mario Gamayon, 45; Samuel Tulo, 46; and Luisito Manuyag, 47.

The four were arrested yesterday morning in a restaurant at the Plaza Independencia after the police received tips about their presence. SPO2 Henry Estoy of the Theft and Robbery Section believes that the suspects were having another transaction in the area because there were two packs of powder believed to be shabu that were seized from Gaganti’s possession.

Estoy said Quiatan told them that he has befriended the suspects because they have been visiting him pretending that they have an acquaintance who is interested to buy his house.

Quiatan told the police that he has advertised on the newspaper that he is selling his house. The suspects claimed to have read on the papers that Quiatan is selling his house and that they have an acquaintance who is interested.

 “N’ya sige na sila ug estorya-estorya ngadto sa balay sa biktima hangtud nagkasuod sila. Misalig na jud ang biktima ngadto nila,” Estoy said.

The suspects then introduced to Quiatan their tawas products.

“Mura’g pyramiding ba. Purchase-an siya sa tawas then iyang ibaligya then maka-commission siya. Naka-commission na na siya,” Estoy said.

After several transactions, the suspects then introduce a Turkish national to the victim. The victim was told that the Turkish national is a buyer of tawas and that they want the victim to supply him.

According to the police, Quiatan first supplied P10,000 worth of tawas to the Turskish national, then P20,000 until the alleged Turkish buyer placed an order of P2 million worth of tawas.

Quiatan allegedly was only able to raise P1 million worth of tawas which he bought from the four suspects. The victim allegedly hand over the P1 million cash to the suspects inside a mall in Barangay Mabolo in September 6.

However, the victim did not anymore find his supposed buyer and the four suspects. “Sukad adto wa na magpakita sa iyaha ang Turko. Hasta ang mga suspects dili na makontak,” Estoy said.

This prompted the victim to report the incident to the police. — (FREEMAN)