Quezon City Police District operatives arrested the wife and daughter of a scammer who attempted to solicit money from victims by posing as National Capital Region Police Office director Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on social media.

In a statement on Wednesday, QCPD chief Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan identified the suspect as Donna Liza Gutierrez Pangilinan, 43, resident of Deparo, Caloocan City, wife of Darell John Green, who is of African-American descent.

The suspect also used fake social media accounts of other police officers, including Maranan and Col. Froilan Uy, former Pasay City chief of police, for fraudulent activities.

Maranan said a witness appeared at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit office last Oct. 27 and averred that she knew Green and his wrongdoings.

The witness further revealed that Green's wife, Pangilinan, and their minor daughter were in charge of cashing out the solicited money.

Acting on the information, CIDU operatives immediately conducted an investigation and eventually traced the residence of Green located in San Jose Heights, Muzon, San Del Monte, Bulacan, and in Caloocan City.

On 29 October, police operatives initiated a follow-up operation but Pangilinan and her minor daughter blocked the operatives, allowing the suspect Green.

Pangilinan was charged with Obstruction of Justice before the Caloocan City Prosecutor's Office while the minor was turned over to Molave Youth Home, Quezon City.

NCRPO spokesperson Lt. Col. Eunice Salas said the suspect, Green, who is of African-American descent, was arrested in Barangay Barreto, Olongapo City on 11 November for robbery and four counts of qualified theft.

Salas said they received reports last week about the creation of the fake Facebook account of Nartatez, which was supposedly used to solicit funds for basketball uniforms.

The suspect asked the victims to send their donations to a GCash number under the name of a former police officer. The officer, however, denied owning the account, she said.

Salas said further investigation showed the suspect also created a Viber and Instagram account using the cellular phone number used in the Gcash account.

"Based on our investigation, many did not believe (the solicitation) because they know the regional director will not do that," she added.

Salas said the suspect also used fake social media accounts of other police officers, including Quezon CIty Police District (QCPD) chief Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan and Col. Froilan Uy, former Pasay City chief of police, for fraudulent activities.

Nartatez, meanwhile, urged the public particularly the cooperation of possible other victims of Green to come forward and file a complaint before the nearest police station.

Nartatez ordered a thorough investigation after learning that his name was being used in online scam.