Authorities have arrested a man for allegedly swindling applicants of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) by promising them recruitment slots in exchange for PHP350,000 each, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) reported on Sunday.
The suspect, identified only as alias “Morris,” was apprehended in an entrapment operation conducted on May 22 along P. Campa Street corner España Boulevard in Manila by personnel from the CIDG Detective Special Operations Unit and the PCG Intelligence Division.
CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the suspect was caught receiving cash from PCG applicants who claimed Morris falsely represented himself as someone with connections and influence within the Coast Guard.
The suspect has been charged before the National Prosecution Service for violating Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code (estafa/swindling) for pretending to have the authority and qualifications to facilitate entry into the PCG.
Torre said the operation prevented further scams and protected applicants from losing their family’s hard-earned money.
He called on the public to report similar incidents and reminded applicants to submit their applications directly to the concerned government agencies to avoid falling victim to fraud.