Fake dentists behind P300-M car rental scam nabbed
A COUPLE who posed as dentists while running a massive car rental scam in Cordillera region was arrested by agents of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in a Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission-supported entrapment operation in Benguet province last week, officials said yesterday.
Suspects Junjun and his wife Catherine Banal were discovered to be masquerading as dentists in Sablan, Benguet, where they operated a company found to be engaged in the “Assume Balance-Sangla” scam.
The couple was said to have amassed some P300 million as a result of their fraudulent activities which started in Central Luzon.
According to PAOCC Executive Director retired Police General Gilberto DC Cruz, the Philippine Dental Association of Baguio City and Benguet sought their help in arresting the two.
Last Friday, undercover officers from the CIDG Baguio City under Maj. Gen. Leo M. Francisco conducted the sting, which not only led to the arrest of the couple but also exposed their involvement in the car rental scam.
Cruz said that in coordination with the PNP Highway Patrol Group, they discovered the true identities of the two, who were accused of duping 149 individuals of an estimated P300 million.
The victims reportedly lost their motor vehicles to the two through the “Assume Balance-Sangla” scheme wherein they were deceived into entrusting their cars, wagons or SUVs to the suspects, who promised them they will take charge of their monthly amortization pay while giving the victims their monthly rental fee.
Unknown to the victims, the suspects would pawn or sell their vehicles to other persons using fake certificate of registration and official receipts from the Land Transportation Office.
Several charges for large-scale swindling, estafa, carnapping and violation of the Anti-Bouncing Check Law were found to have already been filed against the Banal couple before the Angeles City Regional Trial Court Branches 56 and 62, as well as the Mabalacat City Municipal Trial Court.
According to the PNP-CIDG, the Banal couple has evaded arrest in the past by changing their names and moving to Benguet. Their luck finally ran out when the CIDG Baguio City Field Unit arrested them for posing as dentists.
Cruz called on other victims of the couple to come out in the open and file formal criminal charges against the two.
