‘Events organizer’ who allegedly scammed P4 million nabbed in entrapment operation

Operatives of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) arrested a woman for allegedly scamming almost P4 million from victims while posing as an events organizer.

According to Emil Sumangil’s report on “24 Oras” on Tuesday, PNP-CIDG Rizal Provincial Field Unit said 42-year-old suspect Melanie Tabermejo was nabbed during an entrapment operation.

CIDG provincial officer Police Major Leopoldo Cajipe said the suspect would suddenly disappear after getting full payment for her event services such as weddings.

“Bigla na siyang mawawala at hindi na siya makikipag-communicate doon sa tao,” Cajipe said.

(She would suddenly disappear and would no longer communicate with the client.)

Tabermejo also allegedly solicited investments in her event organizing company, promising investors a 10% to 20% profit within a month.

“As of now nasa 30 ang complainant namin and worth of almost P4 million na ang nakuha niya. Mayroon na siyang nabiktima sa Region IV-A, Metro Manila at Central Luzon,” Cajipe said.

(As of now we have 30 complainants, and she has already got almost P4 million. She has victims in Region IV-A, Metro Manila, and Central Luzon.)

Meanwhile, victim "Pinky" narrated how the suspect allegedly took almost P1 million from her.

“Sigurado kikita ang pera mo. Mabilisan lang ito,” Pinky said while recalling Tabermejo's promises.

(You will make money. This will be quick.)

“Siyempre na-encourage ka. For 8 months ang ganda ng balik. After nun ang dami na niyang alibi, excuses,” she added.

(Of course, you were encouraged. For 8 months, the investment returns were good. After that, she has a lot of alibis and excuses.)

The suspect, however, denied the allegations.

“Napabayaan ko po siya eh. Dumaan ang pamilya ko sa trauma dahil nga po sa nangyari sa husband ko. So hindi na lang po nakaikot ng maayos ang fund namin pero yung pag-aakusa nila na tinangay ko, ginamit ko pang-personal ang mga pera at pondo nila, hindi po iyon totoo,” Tabermejo said.

(I neglected the business. My family went through something traumatic because of what happened to my husband. So the money was not reinvested properly. But their accusation that I stole or personally used their money and funds, that's not true.) — Mel Matthew Doctor/DVM, GMA News