Lawyer falls for online scam

CEBU, Philippines - A lawyer, who is a member of the International Justice Movement, lost P13,000 Tuesday to an online advertisement that offers the popular iPhone 4G by Apple.

The lawyer, who requested anonymity, told The FREEMAN that on Monday, the person who offered the phone introduced himself as Kevin Veltran of Carcar City, Cebu.

The following day, the lawyer sent the money through G-Cash and in return received a tracking number and other details on how to claim his purchase.  

However, on Wednesday, the lawyer was jolted when he learned there was no package for him.

He narrated his story to the Cebu City Police Office Intelligence Branch, which then arranged an entrapment at Carcar City.

The lawyer contacted the same advertisement, this time using an alias, and expressed his interest in the phone and added he wanted to meet the seller in person.

But no seller turned up.

CCPO Intelligence Chief Romeo Santander told The FREEMAN such crimes are slowly rising.

"Di na nato sila hunungan hangtod nga di ni sila madakpan," he said. (FREEMAN)