NBI warns public of swindling group

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) warned the public yesterday of a group of swindlers who have allegedly conned P60 million from at least 10 businessmen and a former mayor of Nueva Ecija in the past two years.

Romy Bon Huy Lim, chief of the NBI Criminal Investigation Division, said the swindlers usually convince their victims into investing in non-existent business ventures.

Lim said the former mayor of Nueva Ecija lost P28 million, while a businesswoman who owns a chain of watch stores and a fastfood restaurant in Quezon City lost P1.5 million recently.

The businesswoman said she went to the NBI headquarters after learning that suspected swindler Benito Palma, also known as Rolando Basas and Ricky Olas, was arrested and detained at the NBI jail.

The group also allegedly swindled P5.2 million from real estate businessman Jun Cortez Jr., P2.1 million from Filipino-American Ed Barican, and P10 million from Danny Tagle.