5 computer shop employees caught in NBI entrapment in QC

MANILA, Philippines — Five individuals were arrested in an entrapment operation inside a mall in North Avenue, Quezon City, for alleged qualified theft and falsification of documents in a computer shop.

In a statement on Friday, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said a complaint from a Silicon Valley store representative against their employees and cohorts led to the arrest of individuals identified as Frederick Caguimbal, Samuel Ragiles Jr., Jophel Valdez, Joseph Estolas, and Ma Erlin Janapin.

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The suspects were allegedly falsifying the official receipts issued to their customers, who are seeking repair service and buying gadgets in the store.

“The receipts issued were not Silicon Valley’s authorized Receipts and rather came from another store,” the NBI said in a statement.

“On May 17, 2024, poseur-customer inquired on how much it will cost for the repair of defective laptop in his possession. A certain individual approached him and identified himself as Frederick Caguimbal and instructed first that he needs to diagnose the defective gadget,” said the bureau.

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“After paying the down payment of Php 1,000.00, subject Caguimbal issued him a sales invoice with the heading Cell-Kid Marketing and Repair and Cell Ever Mobile Inc.,” it added.

An entrapment operation was conducted on May 22, after verifying the legitimacy of the sales invoice issued to the poseur-customer, resulting in the arrest of the individuals.

“The other individuals were arrested for selling electronic parts that are not being sold by Silicon Valley,” the NBI said.

However, two other individuals, namely Ace Jonas Reyes and John Paul Marquez, remain at large.

The NBI said the arrested suspect, as well as Reyes and Marquez, were charged with qualified theft through falsification of documents in violation of Article 310 in relation to Article 171 and Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines as amended by RA 10591 and other deceit under Article 318 of the Revised Penal Code.

Arrested subjects were presented before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Quezon City.