Fake paralegal nabbed for pretending to help scam victim

A woman pretending to be a paralegal to a scamming victim overseas was arrested by authorities in Manila.

According to Emil Sumangil’s exclusive report in “24 Oras” on Wednesday, the suspect was nabbed during an entrapment operation by the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG)  in Manila City Hall. 

The suspect was pretending to offer assistance to a migrant worker who is seeking help in filing charges against another scammer. 

The PNP-ACG said the victim found the suspect on a social media page that allegedly provides legal assistance to victims of online scamming. 

“Nagpakilala itong… kayang kaya niyang gawin dahil siya’y paralegal…Mayroon daw siyang kilalang taga PNP,” said PNP-ACG director Police Brigadier General Wilson Asueta. 

(She introduced herself claiming that she could easily handle it because she is a paralegal... She claimed to have a contact within the PNP.) 

The suspect was asking for a fee of P150,000, which covers the filing of a case, and the formation of a PNP unit that will arrest the scammer. 

The PNP-ACG said the suspect targets Filipinos abroad who were victims of online scams. 

GMA Integrated News is trying to reach out to the suspect for a comment. 

“Wala po kaming inuutusan na tao na siya ang mag negotiate para sa pag conduct ng police operation… lalong lalo na sa pag file ng case,” said Asueta. 

(We do not authorize any individual to negotiate on our behalf for the conduct of police operations... especially regarding the filing of cases.) 

The PNP-ACG encouraged the public to directly report to them if they fell victim to online scams. 

“They can directly proceed to our office and we can entertain their complaints, and initiate police actions up to the  filing of case,” said Asueta. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News