The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested three Filipinos and six Indian nationals in an entrapment operation for carnapping and syndicated estafa.
NBI Director Judge Jaime B. Santiago (Ret.) identified the three Filipinos as Teotima G. Batutay, Rose L. Torion, and Michael D. Castulo, and the six Indian nationals as Sajjan Sarkar, Sai Charan, Kulvanatnh Thati, Gayatri Sarma, Ray Anand, and Nithin Kamepalli.
Santiago said the operation stemmed from a complaint filed against the suspects for the recovery of the complainant’s vehicle, which was sold by the suspects without his consent.
The NBI said the complainant disclosed that he failed to pay the monthly amortization of the subject vehicle to PSBank and offered it for "assume balance" (pasalo).
The vehicle was assumed by MCars, which passed it to Batutay, who allegedly sold it to Castulo. Castulo, together with Sarkar, mortgaged it to Anand for Php120,000.
The bank pursued the complainant after the amortizations fell due, but he was unable to return the vehicle.
The complainant was able to talk to Castulo for the recovery of the vehicle, but Castulo demanded Php450,000 for its return; otherwise, he threatened that the car would be parted out ("chop chop").
Compelled by the situation, the complainant filed a complaint with NBI-NCR.
An entrapment operation was planned. Castulo told the complainant to meet him at a casino hotel in Parañaque City on June 24, 2025, for the Php450,000 demand. During the meeting, the amount was reduced to Php250,000.
NBI-NCR agents apprehended the suspects, who are members of a syndicate involved in the "assume balance-talon" scheme. The operation also resulted in the recovery of the complainant’s vehicle.
The arrested suspects were presented for inquest proceedings for the mentioned violations.
Santiago commended the NBI-NCR agents for the successful operation, which led to the arrests and vehicle recovery. He also advised the public to be more cautious in their financial transactions to avoid falling prey to schemes by unscrupulous individuals.