MANILA — Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested a man accused of multiple scams and rape during an entrapment operation at a shopping mall in Malate, Manila, on July 28, 2025.
The suspect, identified as Erick Pascual Balsomo, was apprehended by operatives from the NBI Criminal Intelligence Division (NBI-CRID), with support from the NBI-Fraud and Financial Crimes Division (NBI-FFCD), acting on the directive of NBI Director Jaime B. Santiago (Ret.).
According to the NBI, Balsomo posed as an employee of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), offering to process driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations for a fee.
A verification with the LTO confirmed that Balsomo is not connected with the agency and is not authorized to conduct official transactions on its behalf.
A background check also revealed that Balsomo is the subject of an outstanding warrant of arrest for statutory rape, a non-bailable offense, issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 26 in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.
He was caught in possession of a bladed weapon during his arrest.
On July 29, 2025, prosecutors in Manila filed multiple charges against Balsomo, including usurpation of authority, estafa, and illegal use of a fictitious name under the Revised Penal Code, in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. Additional charges are being pursued for carrying a concealed deadly weapon.
NBI Director Santiago lauded the operatives involved and warned the public to avoid unauthorized individuals when seeking government-related services.