Two foreigners arrested over alleged fake hotel payment receipts in Pasig

Two foreign nationals were arrested for alleged estafa at a hotel in Barangay Kapitolyo, Pasig City, shortly after midnight Tuesday, 18 August.

Police identified the suspects as Aime, 21, an African national and freelancer, and Yossua, 27, an American national and student. Both had been separately staying at the hotel since 3 August.

According to investigators, the suspects had presented digital receipts to hotel staff as proof of payment.

At around 11 a.m. on 18 August, however, a hotel receptionist discovered that both suspects had been using the same Maya Bank account number for their purported transactions.

A review of the hotel's bank transaction history showed that the payments claimed by the suspects had not been credited to its account.

Further verification uncovered discrepancies in the receipts, including transaction dates of 4 July and 6 July instead of 4 August and 6 August, as well as other inconsistencies in the payment documents.

The hotel manager then demanded that the suspects settle their outstanding bill of approximately P45,000. When they allegedly failed to pay, hotel management sought assistance from barangay officials and the Ortigas Police Sub-Station.

Responding police officers and barangay tanods proceeded to the hotel and arrested the suspects.

The Pasig City Police Station is preparing estafa charges against the two for filing through inquest proceedings.