Four nabbed for fake gold bars

CEBU, Philippines - Four persons were arrested by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 for allegedly selling fake gold bars at a restaurant along General Maxilom Ave., Cebu City on Friday evening.

An entrapment operation was carried out by the CIDG operatives when Manuel Santos and his friend, Virginia Baruffol, sensed that they were duped by the suspects.

Of the six suspects, only four were arrested and were identified as William Estrella of Toledo City, Soledad Dy Divinagracia and her son, Rex Divinagracia, both of Barangay Cogon, Bogo City; and Everett Rosendo of Toledo City.

They were arrested for allegedly demanding P5 million as advance payment for the gold bars worth P10 million, which later turned out to be fake.

In their affidavits, Santos and Baruffol claimed they already paid more than P300,000 to the suspect.

Before the transaction, Santos claimed that he and Soledad are known to each other  for 16 years.

Sometime in August last year, Santos who is a native of Manila claimed that Soledad called him up and enticed him to come to Cebu if he is interested in buying 50 bars of gold.

Soledad and her son, Rex, even shouldered Santos’ plane tickets just to come to Cebu before they met at a restaurant of a downtown hotel where they presented pictures of the gold bars.

An agreement was made with Santos and Baruffol acted as brokers of the transaction. Eventually, the victims were able to have buyers from a Manila company that engaged in selling gold.

Last month, Soledad asked Santos for mobilization, rental of a safe warehouse and security for the gold bars.

The suspects then allowed the victims to get sample of the gold to determine its genuineness.

The suspects even asked for P5 million as advance payment and another P5 million when the gold bars are presented.

The victims, sensing that they were duped, then asked assistance from the CIDG-7 which then planned an entrapment operation.

It was Rex who arrived first and immediately asked Santos if the P5 million was ready. Santos, then handed over the marked money to the suspects.

It was at this juncture that policemen positioned near the area signaled the arrest but two cohorts of the suspects eluded arrest.

SPO2 Roel Leyson, arresting officer, said that the prosecutor’s office did not recommend bail for the suspects since the case, which they filed yesterday afternoon, was considered syndicated estafa.

Both parties refused to be interviewed for their side. (FREEMAN)