CEBU CITY, Philippines – A woman was arrested by authorities in Naga City, Cebu on Friday evening, September 8, 2023, for allegedly scamming more than one victim in her business investment fraud in rice trading.
In a press release, the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) disclosed the apprehension of a woman for alleged investment scam and estafa.
Newly appointed NBI-7 regional director, Attorney Patricio Bernales, identified the arrested person as Eva Ferraris, a resident of Naga City, Cebu.
Ferraris allegedly enticed individuals to invest in her business of rice trading with the promise that they will be getting more of their money back.
The woman allegedly supplied rice and pack lunches at a school in Naga City, according to the agency.
The press release disclosed that two persons filed a complaint against Ferraris at the office of the NBI-7 on August 8,2023.
The victims narrated how they were tricked into giving almost P1,000,000 of their hard-earned money to put in as an investment.
However, the two complainants later learned that several people have been looking for Ferraris complaining that she scammed them.
This prompted them to seek the help of the authorities who immediately conducted a record check on the woman, according to Bernales.
He added that upon checking their records, they found that a separate warrant of arrest has been issued against Ferraris for a case of investment scam and estafa back in 2010.
In her previous case, Ferraris allegedly carted more than P1,000,000 cash from a victim who is an Overseas Filipino Worker.
With the warrant of arrest against the alleged suspect, Bernales said that they immediately tracked and apprehended Ferraris.
The alleged suspect was arrested by NBI-7 operatives in Naga City, Cebu on the evening of September 8.
Bernales stated that Ferraris most likely continued her alleged activities, thinking that she would be able to get away with it.
“Most probably wa gyud siya motagam. Abi siguro niya og walay nagpagawas og warrant, nagkaso sa iya sauna,” he said.
As of this writing, the alleged suspect is scheduled for inquest for the filing of appropriate charges against her, added Bernales.
He also said that with regards to the case that will be filed against her, they will be evaluating the complaints of the five victims that recently visited the office, on the possible filing of syndicated estafa.
Bernales advised the public to take caution in dealing with possible investments and to always be logical in order to avoid losing their money to scammers.
“Kasagaran man gud aning mga modus kaning mga scam nga estafa, ang root cause gyud ani is murag gusto ko dali makakwarta. So mag-amping gyud. Kung naa gani mo-offer sa imo nga kani nga scam nga makakwarta ka, huna-hunaag maayo. Kay if’s too good to be true, murag di na tinuod,” he stated.
Bernales also plead to other possible victims of Ferraris to come to the NBI-7 office to file a formal complaint against her.
/bmjo
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