Woman nabbed in Manila for posing as BOC broker, stealing millions in cash

Police arrested a woman in Sta. Cruz, Manila on Monday who is accused of posing as a certified Bureau of Customs (BOC) broker and stealing millions of pesos from her victims.

Based on an initial investigation, the suspect allegedly contacted the two victims from Ilocos Sur on social media, who were looking to buy tractor heads online. 

Police said she allegedly presented fraudulent ID cards, identifying herself as a licensed BOC broker. 

However, the suspect and her cohorts did not return hours after collecting the supposed payment.

"Nangyari 10 o'clock, nag-report sila satin 7 o'clock. By 10:30, nahuli natin. Since mayroon naman na alam natin na modus operandi, nagtatawag na ko ngayon at nakipag-coordinate ako sa theft and robbery," Manila Police District Station 13 Commander Police Lieutenant Colonel Rommel Anicete said in Jhomer Apresto's Unang Balita report on Wednesday.

(The incident occurred at around 10 and was reported to us by 7. By 10:30, we had arrested them after coordinating with the theft and robbery division.)

"Ang amount na naloko sa kanila ay P1.2 million," he said.

(The amount taken from them was about P1.2 million.)

Authorities have yet to recover the victims' money, which they believe was in the possession of the suspects' accomplices.

The suspect declined to comment on the allegations.

In March, the female suspect and her 63-year-old accomplice also victimized a male victim in Caloocan City, replacing his P5.5 million cash with paper.

The victim said the money was meant to purchase a sports car.

The MPD is investigating if the suspects are part of a criminal syndicate. —Sundy Locus/VBL, GMA Integrated News