NBI busts mail pilferage gang

A gang involved in the pilferage of mailed checks has been busted by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) following the arrest of its alleged leader in Manila yesterday.

The NBI identified the suspect as George Cantos, 40, businessman, of Corregidor St., Manuguit, Tondo.

NBI investigation showed that last April, Santos opened as $2,500 dollar account at the Maybank Tondo branch. He then withdrew the amount a few days after opening it.

The bank later discovered that the check Santos used in opening the account was stolen and that the name of the payee was altered.

On Aug. 20, Santos again tried to open another account at the Maybank Tondo branch using a collar check worth $5,400. Maybank then sought the help of the NBI after determining that the dollar check was stolen and that the name of the payee on the check had also been altered.

Acting on the complaint, agents of the NBI Intelligence Special Operations Division conducted an entrapment operation and arrested Santos while in the act of encashing the stolen check.

Charges of estafa through the falsification of commercial documents and theft were filed against Santos before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office. He is now detained at the NBI jail. – Mike Frialde