DOTr: PNP nabs Palace liaison officer poseur

A man posing as a liaison officer under the Office of the President was recently nabbed by authorities. 

According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group - National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) recently collared a 37-year-old Muntinlupa resident who allegedly scammed more than P500,000 from an applicant for motor vehicle registration with the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

A businessman named Rholand Dindo Gantiga Sioson was convinced by the suspect to pay the said amount for the processing of his application for a franchising business, specifically the licensing and registration of motor vehicles with LTO.

The suspect showed Sioson a special letter of endorsement bearing the forged signature of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista.

With his fake credentials, the suspect was able to fleece Sioson for about P405,000 as processing fee, which Sioson sent through bank transfer. The suspect also asked for an additional P100,000 at a later date for the release of a department order for the LTO franchise, DOTr reported.

After filing a formal complaint, PNP CIDG-NCR set up a sting operation and gave Sioson marked money which was handed to the perpetrator on July 31 at the designated meeting place for the exchange.

Per CIDG Police Col. Hansel Marantan, the defrauder will face charges of violation of Article 315 (Large-scale Estafa) in relation to Republic Act 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act), Article 177 (Usurpation of Authority or Official Function) and Article 172 (Falsification by Private Individual and Use of Falsified Document) of the Revised Penal Code.

Transportation Secretary Bautista issued a stern warning not to fall prey to similar scams and other illegal activities.

Photo from Department of Transportation - Philippines Facebook page

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