NBI arrests condo unit seller with false link to Villar

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested and lodged estafa charges against a woman who allegedly sold condominium units while claiming an apparently false link to Senator Cynthia Villar.

Operatives arrested one Lana dela Cruz, who allegedly posed as an employee of the senator who was authorized to sell units at Royal Palm Villa in Las Piñas City, last August 31, the bureau said Monday.

One buyer turned to the NBI after they found out that Dela Cruz is neither a Villar employee nor a registered real estate broker, information that was confirmed by certifications from Villar's office and the Professional Regulation Commission, the NBI said in press statement.

The complainant was also purportedly informed that Villar was not donating any condominium unit to her staff, as was allegedly claimed by the arrested woman.

"Moreover, Royal Palm Villa is not owned by the Villar family and the signature of Sen. Villar appearing in the authorization letter given to the complainant is not the signature of Sen. Villar," the NBI said.

Dela Cruz has undergone an inquest proceeding before the Las Piñas City  prosecutor's office for estafa in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and for violation of the Real Estate Service Act of the Philippines, the NBI said.

Villar, in response, commended the NBI for the arrest of the woman, whom she said sold a condominium unit for P350,000 to one Milton Navelgas, a 67-year-old tugboat crewman 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," the senator said in a statement.

She also reminded the public "not to quickly believe in offers that are too good to be true because chances are, these are scams." — BM, GMA News