NBI raid yields two scammers
Reports disclosed that the case originated from a complaint alleging that Punjabi misrepresented himself as the nephew and agent of a man named Kumar, who purportedly owned a lending company.
National Bureau of Investigation-National Capital Region chief Ferdinand Lavin (center) presents to the media the two suspected scammers targeting investors who were arrested during a raid by NBI operatives.
Photograph by John Carlo Magallon
Operatives from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested two men in Pasay City in connection with a large-scale investment scam, the agency reported Wednesday.
The NBI identified the arrested individuals as Maverick Das Punjabi and Jazpher Macaraig Rayos. They were apprehended for alleged large-scale estafa (swindling) under the Revised Penal Code, as well as violations of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, including computer-related identity theft.
Reports disclosed that the case originated from a complaint alleging that Punjabi misrepresented himself as the nephew and agent of a man named Kumar, who purportedly owned a lending company. Punjabi allegedly offered to secure a P20-million loan for a facilitation fee.
The complainant, believing Punjabi’s claims, provided him with a Hermes Birkin handbag valued at P500,000 as the fee. Subsequently, individuals claiming to be Kumar and his employees allegedly persuaded the complainant to hand over luxury bags, jewelry, and other items worth P11.86 million while awaiting the loan.
The complainant later discovered through a friend that the real Kumar did not own a lending company and had no connection to Punjabi. Contacting the actual Kumar confirmed these suspicions.
On 21 May, Punjabi allegedly demanded an additional P42,000 as a further facilitation fee. This prompted the complainant and Kumar to seek assistance from the NBI-National Capital Region (NBI-NCR), leading to an entrapment operation.
On Tuesday, the complainant, accompanied by NBI-NCR agents, met Punjabi at a restaurant in Pasay City. Punjabi was arrested after receiving marked money as the additional fee.
During booking procedures, a man identified as James Kumar called Punjabi, demanding his share of the facilitation fee. This led to a follow-up “hot pursuit” operation, resulting in the arrest of James Kumar after he received the marked money from Punjabi. He was later identified as Jazpher Macaraig Rayos.
Both Punjabi and Rayos were presented for inquest proceedings at the Office of the City Prosecutor of Pasay City.
Two other individuals, identified as Marco de Guzman and Voltaire, remain at large and are also facing charges in connection with the scam.