TWO online scammers were arrested by agents of the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group in separate entrapment operations this week, PNP-AG director, Brigadier General Joel B. Doria said on Sunday.

One of the suspects identified as Beatriez Gonong alias ‘Krzyly Dmngo’ was arrested by members of the Tarlac Provincial Cyber Crime Response Unit in a sting in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan last Thursday, the official said.

He said that cybercops led by Major Evangeline Geminiano went after the suspect amid a complaint that she was pretending to be a representative of a legitimate loan company to scam unsuspecting victims.

An investigation showed the complainant identified as Quinnie Agustin came said the suspect sent a message to her on Facebook and identified herself as an agent of ‘Kaunlaran Institution,’ an online loan company.

The victim was allegedly asked by the suspect to send her P13,125 and her postal ID as ‘processing fee’ for her P40,000 loan. After getting the money and the victim’s ID, the suspect blocked the complainant’s GCash account.

The victim was later allegedly asked by the suspect to send more money for her loan application prompting her to seek the assistance of the PNP-ACG which conducted the operation which led in the arrest of Gonong.

The 2nd suspect identified as Hanna Paz alias ‘Johanna Mari Paz’ was arrested by members of the Quezon City District Anti-Cybercrime Team in an entrapment operation last Friday.

It turned out that the suspect offered to sell an Iphone 11 online thru her Facebook account. Her victim identified as Rem Ponce sent her a P5,000 down payment but she failed to make the delivery on time.

The suspect also completely ignored the complainant’s request for her to return her down payment or deliver the gadget until the victim discovered that he was her latest online victim.

Cybercops led by Lieutenant Michael Bernardo arrested the suspect.

“Every day, ACG receives numerous complaints of online scams particularly those offering fake loans and fake job opportunities. Again, we would like to remind you to always be vigilant in making online transactions because there are plenty of fraudsters out there pretending to be from a legitimate company,” Brig. Gen. Doria said.

Both suspects are now facing criminal charges for swindling/estafa in relation to Republic Act 10175 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Gonong is being held at the San Jose del Monte City police lock-up facility while Paz was locked up at the Q.C. district jail.