Lawmen nab man posing as LTO chief
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MANILA, Philippines — Authorities arrested a man posing as the chief of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and extorting money in exchange for the release of passenger buses impounded for being “colorum,” or illegally operating without the proper permits.
The con man, Jeffrey Morong Mendoza, of San Mateo, Rizal, was arrested on Saturday by LTO intelligence agents and operatives of the Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) at the Cubao Terminal Complex in Quezon City, with the help of his victims.
The suspect was arrested as soon as he received the buy-bust money covered with a marked P1,000 bill.
LTO and PNP-ACG investigators are now preparing charges for violation of Article 177 (usurpation of authority) and Article 315 (swindling/estafa) of the Revised Penal Code, all in relation to Sections 4(b)(3) for computer-related identity theft and Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
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In a statement on Sunday, LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II learned of the scamming activity after some bus operators reported that there was someone impersonating him to collect P250,000 each for the release of impounded passenger buses.
“As soon as I was informed about this, I immediately tasked our Intelligence and Investigation Division chief Renante Melitante, to conduct an investigation to identify and arrest this impostor,” he said.
The LTO coordinated with the PNP-ACG in the conduct of the probe until they were able to establish contact with the suspect with the help of some of the victims.
Based on the narration of the victims, they were contacted by the suspect and were told that they only needed to pay P250,000 for every impounded passenger bus with colorum violations, which was lower than the supposed penalty of P1 million.
The suspect identified himself as the LTO chief and was the only person who could release the impounded buses.
Fighting deception
Mendoza last year issued a memorandum stating that only a court order can initiate the prompt release of any impounded motor vehicle with colorum violations.
“I will personally monitor this case to make sure that this man will be punished to the full extent of the law. We will not let this kind of deception against our fellow citizens go unpunished,” Mendoza said.
“This should serve as a stern warning against these scammers that we in the government will surely fight back and make sure that you will suffer the consequences of your actions,” he added.
Mendoza urged operators of public utility vehicles and the public not to transact with scammers and immediately report any case of extortion, name-dropping, and other illegal money-making activities to either the LTO or the PNP for immediate action.
