Cops nab extortionist posing as ‘love shaman’

A woman who claimed to have performed spells and rituals to reunite a broken couple was arrested by elements of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) after allegedly extorting at least P66,675 from her victim.

A report from the NCRPO stated that operatives from the NCRPO’s Regional Special Operation Unit (RSOU) apprehended Jhane Mendoza, 29, of Gen. T. De Leon, Valenzuela City during an entrapment operation on Monday night at a fast food chain in Karuhatan, Valenzuela.

On April 2018, Mendoza, claiming to be a shaman, allegedly offered her services to a certain Bernadette San Juan, 27 years old, of Barangay 38, Pasay City, by posting a comment on the latter’s Facebook post.

According to San Juan, when she was looking for something that can help her reunite with her estranged boyfriend, Mendoza suggested that she knew someone who can help her out.

The victim and the suspect exchanged messages where the circumstances and the cost of the ritual were agreed.  In exchange for the first love potion, San Juan sent P2,718.66 to Mendoza on April 25.

San Juan said that she even visited the house of Mendoza in Barangay Nancayasan, Urdaneta City in Pangasinan, to hand over items needed for the rituals but she said that nothing has changed between her and her boyfriend.

Aside from the initial payment, the victim made different payments that totaled to P66,675.66, reportedly to cover the cost for the offering for the shaman who allegedly died, and the creation of other potions.

However, Mendoza still demanded that San Juan should complete the payment of P80,000, even warning the victim that mobile patrol cars from Pangasinan would pick her up.

After sensing that Mendoza was a sham more than a shaman, San Juan asked assistance from the NCRPO, which conducted an arrest operation.

Cases will be filed against the suspect before the Valenzuela City Prosecutor’s Office, for violation of Article 316, paragraph 5 of the Revised Penal Code or Other Forms of Swindling. She now remains at the custody of the RSOU. /jpv