BALANGA CITY — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested on Tuesday noon in Mariveles, Bataan a couple suspected of leading a Rent-a-Van scam allegedly involved in large scale estafa victimizing numerous individuals in Bataan and nearby provinces.
Chief Inspector Rex Perocho, CIDG provincial chief, said Marilou Matic, 38, and her live-in-partner Ankur Singh, an Indian national, were nabbed by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by an Olongapo City judge for violation of 23 counts of B.P. 22 (bouncing check).
Perocho said that with the arrest, 20 complainants reported to his office in Balanga City that they were also victimized by Matic of about P20 million with some at P1.8 million each.
“Nahikayat sila ni Matic na pumasok sa transaksiyon na walang nangyari at lumawak ang investment nila,” Perocho said.
He said that suspects, aside from the 23 counts of B.P. 22 in Olongapo City, face in Balanga City cases for violation of Article 315 or Swindling (Estafa). “Patuloy kaming nanghihikayat sa ibang mga complainants na magsadya sa CIDG para mapatibay ang kaso,” he said.
Jun Lopez, 64, of Balanga City said that Matic approached him sometime in 2007 – 2008 and introduced herself as one involved in gasoline business.
“Nakumbinsi kami na pahiramin siya ng pera na may inisyu namang tseke at ibabalik daw sa madaling panahon,” Lopez said.
He said that he gave Matic P600,000, P500,000 and other amounts until it reached P1.85 million in almost two months. He said they began to doubt the transaction when the suspect did not make true her promise to pay him in two to three weeks.
“Doon na kami nag-alala. Nawala na siya, hindi na matrace kung saang lugar siya. Naalarma na kami,” Lopez said.
Manny Orani, 47, of Mariveles, said he gave Matic P377,000 paid in installment within a month sometime June – July 2018.
He said that he was with a group of 10 persons when they met the suspect in the house of his “kumpare,” an uncle of Matic. He said that Matic told them that she has a contract with San Miguel Corp. for five to 10 years to provide service vehicles.
“Magdown lamang daw kami para makakuha ng van at ipapasok sa San Miguel na sasahod kami ng P60,000 isang buwan kaya nahikayat kami,” Orani said.
He said that by August 2018, Matic was already missing and did not show up. “Wala rin ang van,” he added.
