Senator Cynthia Villar commended the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for the arrest of a scammer who used her name to swindle money from a senior overseas Filipino worker.
Operatives of NBI Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division arrested Lana dela Cruz, 33, in an entrapment after she posed as a staff of Villar and sold a condominium unit for a P350,000 down payment to Milton Navelgas, 67, a crew member of a tugboat in Guam.
“We are very happy for the capture of this scammer who took advantage of an overseas Filipino worker and a senior citizen at that. Nakakalungkot malaman na wala na talagang pinipiling biktima ang mga gustong manloko ng kapwa. Patuloy po sana tayong mag-ingat at maging alerto para hindi maging biktima ng scammers,” the seasoned legislator said.
From a letter sent by Jayren Estrada of Agno, Pangasinan and a grandson of Navelgas, Villar learned that Navelgas came to know Dela Cruz through a shipmate who is the boyfriend of Dela Cruz. According to the letter, Dela Cruz introduced herself as a staff of the senator and even forged authorization letters to sell condominium units in Royal Palm Villa, which is not owned by the Villar family.
“We thank the NBI for acting on the complaint of the family of Navelgas. May this serve as a warning to scammers who continue to victimize our people, ” the veteran lawmaker said.
“May this serve as a warning to scammers who continue to victimize our people.”
The lady senator also reminded the public “not to quickly believe in offers that are too good to be true because chances are, these are scams.”
“Do not quickly believe in offers that are too good to be true because chances are, these are scams.”
Dela Cruz was charged with estafa in relation to the cybercrime prevention act and with violation of the real estate service act.
Previously, Villar has asked the assistance of NBI to go after scammers who use her name in text scams and Facebook posts under fake accounts inviting the public to join bogus raffle draws.
