By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Members of the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (HPG) arrested a man allegedly engaged in the fraudulent processing and activation of transport network vehicle service (TNVS) accounts in Taguig City.
HPG spokesperson Lt. Nadame Malang said Wednesday an entrapment led to the arrest of the suspect, alias Khart, in Barangay Cembo on June 9 after he demanded an additional PHP35,000 from one of his victims.
“Isa sa kanyang mga modus ay magpakilala bilang isang agent na kung saan siya ay maghahanap ng kliyente. And for PHP15,000, siya (victim) ay bibigyan ng provisionary permit para magkaroon ng temporary na prangkisa para mabiyahe niya ang kanyang pribadong sasakyan, pero makalipas ang one week to two weeks, biglaang made-deactivate (One of his modus operandi is to pose as an agent looking for clients. For PHP15,000, the victim would be given a provisionary permit for a temporary franchise for the use of his private vehicle as TNVS. But after one to two weeks, the account would be deactivated),” he told reporters in a press briefing held in Camp Crame.
Seized from the suspect were the marked money and a cellular phone.
The PNP-HPG has so far received around 28 complaints against the suspect, who is said to have collected between PHP1.5 million to PHP2.3 million from victims.
Police are coordinating with the concerned ride-hailing firm for an investigation as the suspect was mentioning names of his supposed contacts inside the company.
He said the investigation would focus on how the suspect was able to access to the activation system of the app-based ride-hailing firm.
The police are also coordinating with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to halt the fraudulent operations.
Malang said they are determining whether the suspect is a part of larger syndicate involved in the illegal activity.
The victims are preparing to file a large-scale estafa complaint against the suspect.
“Masakit po kasi diyan po kami aasa sa trabaho na ‘yan eh ‘yong iba kong kasama, nahatak na ang sasakyan kakahintay sa pangako niya (What is painful is we are expecting to make a living from that. Our other colleagues had their vehicles taken away and yet they are still believing his promise),” victim Fernan Delos Reyes said.
Wilfredo Sicio, the group’s liaison officer, expressed frustration at the TNVS company for its inaction regarding their complaints.
The suspect, however, claimed he is also a victim.
HPG director Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta said those interested to earn money using their private vehicles could directly to the LTFRB or legitimate Transportation Network Company to apply and inquire on the proper procedure. (PNA)
