CIDG nabs “swindler” who sold land twice

CEBU, Philippines — An alleged swindler who reportedly sold the same piece of land to two different buyers was arrested in an entrapment operation in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City Friday afternoon.

Jeremias Abad, 48, a resident of Gochan Street, Barangay Mambaling, was arrested by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – 7 after Ranz Andri Medina, 34, a resident of Barangay Mabolo, complained that the suspect duped him.

Senior Police Officer 2 Roel Leyson, who was part of the team that carried out the operation, said Abad sold to Medina a parcel of land worth P1 million.

Medina, Leyson added, claimed he already paid Abad more than half of the amount but was only given the contract to sale.

Medina reportedly found out that the suspect also sold the same lot to another buyer, in which there was a deed of sale executed despite an existing contract with the complainant.

This prompted him to seek the assistance of the CIDG-7 and thus, an entrapment operation was arranged.

It was also timely that Medina was set to pay Abad the P10,000 monthly amortization last Friday after the latter reminded him that the payment was already due.

The two agreed to meet at a coffee shop in an uptown mall, where the entrapment operation was conducted.

CIDG-7 operatives, who were already positioned in the area, placed Abad under arrest as soon as he accepted the money from Abad.

The suspect, who refused to comment, is currently detained at CIDG-7 detention cell and will face charges for violation of Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code. - NSA (FREEMAN)