Japanese paid P4M for fake gold bars, golden Buddha
POLICE arrested three persons who tried to sell fake gold bars and a golden Buddha to a Japanese national for P4.4 million.
The entrapment operation was set up in a resort in Compostela town, north Cebu where the items were to be picked up.
The customer, J apanese Isao Aoyama, 72, sought the help of a friend, Roderick Balbuena, a councilor of Manila City, after he began suspecting that he was being duped.
READ: 3 arrested for peddling fake gold bars, golden buddha
Balbuena then contacted Supt. Marjon Valdehuesa of the Aviation Security Group.
With the help of Compostela police, a meeting was arranged with the suspects on Friday night in Patricia Beach Resort in barangay Estaca, Compostela town.
The Japanese national had earlier told the sellers he would pick up the items.
Police arrested Mark Stone Gayrama, 33, Alfonso Docenos, 32 and Bae Maria Sitawan, 37, all natives of Malaybalay Bukidnon province.
Seized during the entrapment operation were two fake gold bars, more than P40,000 cash, assorted ID cards, a shoulder bag, belt bag, three cellphones and a lady’s wallet.
The suspects had met Aoyama in Japan through a mutual friend. They brought “samples” of the gold bars they wanted to sell. Aoyama had the samples tested and confirmed their gold content.
He ordered 12 gold bars and three golden Buddhas.
Police said he made an initial payment of 8.3 million yen or about P4.4 million through a bank transfer. The Japanese customer travelled to Cebu to pick up the goods but when the sellers kept changing the date of their meeting, Aoyama got suspicious.
This prompted him to seek help.
According to Valdehuesa, the sellers arrived in Cebu on June 27 to see Aoyama. The suspects have been operating in Cebu and would target foreigners as their potential customers.
The suspects are detained at the Compostela police station. The fake items were placed in the custody of the Aviation police. Valdehuesa said they will seek the help of a bank to examine and certify the content of the bars and the Buddha.
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