Estafa case filed vs. alleged 'rent-tangay scam' mastermind

The alleged mastermind behind the so-called car rental or "rent-tangay" scam faces an estafa complaint, according to the report of GMA News' Oscar Oida for "24 Oras" on Friday.

Rafaela Anunciacion was nabbed by the PNP Highway Patrol Group in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and was detained at Camp Vicente Lim on Thursday evening.

She was brought to the San Pedro Hall of Justice on Friday for the return of warrant proceeding.

Anunciacion declined to be interviewed but said she will face the media in the appropriate time.

Based on the information of the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group Unit 4A, there are about 400 persons who went to the agency to say that they were victims of the so-called car rental scam.

However, only 64 people filed formal complaints at the agency.

According to the information gathered by GMA News, for the month of February there are about 200 cases in Tagaytay city, Cavite while there are 19 cases in Valenzuela and 67 in Camp Crame.

There are about 450 vehicles have been recovered in connection with the car rental scam by the PNP-HPG.

With the large number of vehicles impounded by the authorities, a part of Camp Vicente Lim now looks like a parking lot.

Around 170 vehicles were already returned to their rightful owners.

Under the directive of Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court, Anunciacion was detained at the Bureau of Management and Penology.

The HPG, meanwhile, says the case against Anunciacion is bailable.

"As of now, for preliminary investigation pa rin yun sa DOJ," said SPO3 Tom Batarao of HPG Unit 4A. "'Di natin alam, baka meron na, 'di pa natin na-check yung iba."

The process of releasing the impounded vehicles takes time.

"Napakahalaga na masunod yung proceso ng pagdo document nung pag release. Kasi unang-una iniiwasan natin na ma-release ang mga sasakyan na yan especially na dumaan sa mga kamay ng sindikato. Maiwasan natin na ma-release sa maling tao ang sasakyan," Batarao pointed out.

"Kasi pwede yan, tinamper nila yung engine and chassis. Pwedeng ginawan nila ng pilipit na papel," he added.

The HPG expects more people will be filing cases at the agency related to the said car rental scam. — Rie Takumi/BAP, GMA News