Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 21) — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday filed an estafa case against a man who defrauded nine people of at least $202,500 (P10.15 million).
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre presented the suspect, Tomas Necasio Nazareno, to reporters after he was arrested in an entrapment operation in Manila on Wednesday.
According to the NBI, a complainant claimed that Nazareno sought financial assistance to claim a $30 billion asset deposited in HSBC bank in Thailand.
“According to the complainant, while he was in Long Beach, California, he was informed by a certain Pastor Gavino Ronquillo about the assets and that the original signatory to the aforesaid accounts has passed away and the deposits were transferred to Tomas Necasio Nazareno,” the NBI said in its statement.
The NBI added that Ronquillo offered an investment program where the financier can get US$300 million monthly if P2 million was given to Nazareno for his travel expenses. The complainant reportedly believed him due to the presence of documents, which prompted him to release an initial tranche of US$7,000.
The NBI said Nazareno will undergo inquest proceedings at the Office of the City Prosecutor in Manila.
It then cautioned the public to be wary of such scams.
“This is a variation of this type of scam which is very common in the internet. We are warning the public to be extra cautious in dealing with ganitong modus,” the NBI said.
