A 58-year-old man was nabbed in connection with an alleged P20-million estafa case involving a baccarat gambling scam, the Southern Police District said on Tuesday.
The suspect, identified only by the alias “Bobby,” was arrested in a joint operation at a restaurant in Dasmariñas City, Cavite, on 10 November. The operation stemmed from a complaint filed by a businessman in Lipa City, Batangas.
The businessman claimed he was tricked into investing in a so-called “winning baccarat scheme” at Resorts World Manila.
According to the Pasay City Police Station, the victim handed over P20 million in cash to the suspects in exchange for casino chips purportedly worth USD400,000. One of the suspects, identified as “Roger,” received the money but never returned.
Casino officials later confirmed that the chips were counterfeit.
The complainant was able to trace his luggage through a built-in tracker, leading police to Cavite. “Bobby” is said to be a resident of Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Seized from the suspect were P15 million in cash, a white Toyota Fortuner, and the fake casino chips. He remains in the custody of the Pasay City Police pending inquest proceedings.