Text scam syndicate busted

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), in coordination with Globe Telecoms Security Group, busted a text scam syndicate with the arrest of its leader and members in Manila on Tuesday.

Authorities said that the group leader identified as Vimbie Avilla alias “Salbakuta” disguised as Vice President Jejomar Binay when he called up tycoon Lucio Tan and requested donation for a fund-raising event.

Tan’s staff then contacted Binay’s office and discovered that it was a scam.         

Other members of the gang were Aldwin Fadriquela, Jericho Guzman and Gabriel Balingit de la Cruz.

Ronald Uychutin of Globe security group said the suspects were arrested in separate entrapment operations.

Uychutin said they created a task force to go after the suspects after receiving complaints from various high profile subscribers.

Globe coordinated with the NBI and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, leading to the suspects’ arrest.

“We planned an entrapment operation. Vice President Binay’s daughter, Ann, negotiated with Avilla and pretended that she is the secretary of Lucio Tan. They deposited P300,000 to the bank account given by the suspect,’’ Uychutin said.

Guzman was arrested while trying to withdraw the cash.

Guzman then led them to Avilla’s house but the latter, it turned out, was already detained at the Manila Police District Station 4 jail for allegedly beating up his wife.