Man accused of estafa falls in Las Piñas

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested a man alleged to have falsely represented authority to sell a property worth P2.3 million.

Operatives of the bureau's Anti-Organized and Transnational Crimes division arrested one Danilo Candaba on November 13 in Las Pinas, the NBI said on Friday.

He allegedly sold a house and lot for P2.3 million with a special power of attorney to claim authority to conduct the sale.

The buyers had allegedly already paid the P1.5 million and had started making repairs on the property when they were told that another person, one Rowell Capal, was its "real owner."

The NBI said Capal denied giving Candaba the special power of attorney to sell his house and lot and purportedly said he has the original title of the property.

This prompted the complainants to seek the NBI's assistance, leading to an entrapment operation and Candaba's arrest.

The NBI said Candaba, who has undergone inquest proceedings for estafa, was found to be facing "several cases" for falsification of public documents, violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972, and perjury, apart from estafa.

Citing "employees at the Justice Hall of Las Piñas," the NBI said the arrested man was known as a "notorious swindler" in the city and other parts of Metro Manila.