In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, the Eastern District Anti-Cybercrime Team (EDACT) apprehended an individual known by the alias ‘KimJe’ on the evening of April 4, 2024.
The arrest was made during an entrapment operation which took place at 8:20 PM, leading to charges of Estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code, in conjunction with Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (RA 10175).
The suspect was caught after offering annulment services at a discounted rate over Facebook Messenger.
The victim, who had not met ‘KimJe’ prior to the transaction, was lured into visiting the suspect’s residence in Cavite to complete the necessary paperwork.
After handing over Php45,000.00, the victim received documents that appeared to be official annulment papers and even referred a friend who also made a payment.
However, the illusion of legitimacy shattered when the victim sought to verify the status of her annulment at the Regional Trial Court, only to learn that the documents were counterfeit. This revelation prompted an immediate report to EDACT, culminating in the arrest.
PMGen Sidney S. Hernia, Director of the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), issued a warning in the wake of the incident, urging the public to exercise caution with offers that seem too good to be true, especially those involving professional services.
He emphasized the importance of conducting thorough research, seeking feedback from past customers, and confirming the legitimacy of service providers’ credentials and licenses before engaging in any transactions.