A 33-year-old woman, who posed as a car agent of several car dealers, was caught in an entrapment operation in Sta. Rosa, Laguna on Sunday. According to Lt. Nadame Malang, spokesperson of the Police Highway Patrol Group (HPG), said the suspect allegedly duped more than 400 people, operating throughout South Luzon and Metro Manila. This is one of the biggest car scams in the country.
The suspect's modus operandi was to pose as a facilitator to find clients who wanted a quick process for purchasing vehicles. If not brand-new, the suspect offered vehicles that the original owners could no longer afford.
Once he gets paid and the car is released, he will forge fake receipts and ORCR to make the transaction look legitimate. Then, he will disappear with the money and the car.
One of the victims sought help from the Laguna HPG after the suspect demanded P100,000 to return the vehicle, leading to an entrapment operation that resulted in his arrest. Along with the suspect, his 59-year-old accomplice was also arrested.
According to Malang, there were six victims who filed complaints against the suspect, who was previously caught in estafa cases but was able to settle.