NBI nabs man posing as priest online

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Naga arrested a man in Camarines Sur after catching him in the act of encashing money allegedly sent by his victims.

The suspect was cornered outside a store while attempting to withdraw funds transferred to him by individuals via e-wallet he had reportedly deceived. According to the NBI, the suspect’s scheme involved posing online as a Catholic priest in the Bicol region, using photos of a real priest to gain the trust of potential donors.

NBI spokesperson and head agent Palmer Mallari said the fake Facebook account was used to solicit donations and charitable contributions supposedly for church-related activities.

The scheme was uncovered after the actual parish priest discovered the account and clarified that it was not his.

Mallari said that the suspect shared photos of parish activities, which made the account appear credible, and convinced donors to send money.

The NBI confiscated the cash withdrawn by the suspect from a donor’s e-wallet, as well as the mobile phone allegedly used in the scam. The seized cellphone will undergo forensic examination once a digital warrant is secured from the court. 

The suspect is facing charges of estafa and identity theft under Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. He is currently detained at the NBI Naga office and has yet to issue a statement.

The NBI has urged other possible victims of the suspect to come forward and file additional complaints at their office.—LDF, GMA Integrated News