Doria

Cybercops rescue boy, 12, used by stepmom in ‘Love Scam’

December 21, 2022 Alfred P. Dalizon 402 views

A love scam suspect who allegedly used her 12-year-old stepson to withdraw money sent by her victim to a remittance center has been arrested by agents of the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group, PNP-ACG director, Brigadier General Joel B. Doria said on Wednesday.

The official said investigation showed the suspect identified as Adja Luwande de Guzman alias ‘Charm’ pretended to be a nurse who needed money to undergo surgery due to COVID-19, the top cybercop said.

The suspect who was using the Facebook account ‘Jane del Rosario’ then asked for immediate financial assistance from her 62-year-old virtual boyfriend who sent her P267,600 in numerous transactions via GCash.

After sending the financial help, the victim said he received another message from Facebook in which the person using the Facebook account ‘Thelma del Rosario’ claimed she was a sister of his girlfriend.

The woman claimed her sister had passed away while undergoing surgery and that they needed money to pay for her cremation. When the woman asked the victim to send her another P32,000, he realized that he had been a victim of the so-called ‘Love Scam’ and sought the help of the PNP-ACG.

During the sting, the woman’s 12-year-old stepson was placed under custody by the PNP-ACG team after he went to the remittance center to claim the money sent by the victim.

The boy said he was asked by his stepmom to withdraw the cash. The minor was turned overo the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for proper disposition.

Brig. Gen. Doria said the boy’s real mom went to their office to state her willingness to file criminal charges for violation of Republic Act 7610 or the anti-child abuse law against the suspect and her estranged husband.

“It is the duty of every parent to protect the well-being of their children. When parents directly or indirectly allow their children to be involved in the commission of an offense, they must be held accountable,” the official said.

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