NBI arrests 2 Liberian nationals over ‘dollar making’ scam

Government operatives arrested two Liberian nationals for allegedly swindling an individual to purchase chemicals that will convert a special paper money into US dollars.

In a statement on Friday, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said the operatives of its Special Action Unit (NBI-SAU) arrested  Abraham Victor alias "George" and Harry Shoum Teenessee in an entrapment operation in Malate, Manila, on Wednesday, for alleged swindling or estafa.

The subjects allegedly swindled an unnamed complainant with $10,000 paid as initial payment, after the complainant was made to believe, through false pretenses, in investing in the purchase of chemicals that would supposedly convert special paper money into genuine US dollars.

NBI Director Dante Gierran said the suspects gave the complainant securely wrapped package with a machine that allegedly combines a special chemical with paper which turns it into US dollars.

However, to the complainant’s surprise, the package did not contain a machine but instead contained nothing more than an improvised vault with worthless green colored paper cut in the size of money bills, Gierran said.

When the suspects asked another $90,000 balance, the complainant reported the matter before the NBI, he added.

With this, the NBI-SAU operatives conducted an entrapment operation resulting in the arrest of the Liberian nationals.

The suspects were presented for inquest proceedings before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila. —Ted Cordero/KBK, GMA News