Press Release
September 3, 2018

Villar commends NBI for arrest of scammer who victimized OFW

Sen. Cynthia today commended the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for the capture of a scammer who used her name to swindle money from an overseas Filipino worker.

Operatives of NBI- Anti-Organized and Transnational Division nabbed in an entrapment operation Lana dela Cruz, 33, who posed as a staff of Villar to sell a condominium unit with P350, 000 down payment to Milton Navelgas, a 67-year-old tug boat crew in Guam.

"We are very happy for the capture of this scammer who took advantage of an overseas Filipino worker and a senior citizen at that. Nakakalungkot malaman na wala na talagang pinipiling biktima ang mga gustong manloko ng kapwa. Patuloy po sana tayong mag-ingat at maging alerto para hindi maging biktima ng scammers," Villar said.

In a letter from Jayren Estrada of Agno, Pangasinan and grandson of Navelgas, Villar learned that Navelgas came to know dela Cruz through a shipmate who is the boyfriend of dela Cruz. Allegedly, dela Cruz impersonated the senator and forged authorization letters to sell condominium units in Royal Palm Villa, which was not owned by the Villar family.

"We thank the NBI for acting on the complaint of the family of Navelgas. May this serve as a warning to scammers who continue to victimize our people, " Villar said.

Villar also reminded the public "not to quickly believe in offers that are too good to be true because chances are, these are scams."

Dela Cruz was charged with estafa in relation to the cybercrime prevention act and with violation of the real estate service act.

Previously, Villar has asked the assistance of NBI to go after scammers who use her name in text scams and Facebook posts under a fake account inviting the public to join bogus raffle draws.

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