Tarlac woman nabbed for posing as niece in online love scam

Photo from Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group

MANILA, Philippines — Central Luzon cops arrested a woman with the alias “Tita” for posing as her niece to lure a victim into giving her gifts, the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG) said.

According to the PNP ACG’s report released on Wednesday, “Tita” created a Facebook account using her then 17-year-old niece’s name and began messaging a 70-year-old meat vendor in San Manuel town in Tarlac province.

The suspect lured the victim into a secret relationship, which lasted for more than a year, getting him to send money and gifts said to be worth a total of nearly P1 million.

READ: Filipinos top targets of online love scams

On the niece’s 18th birthday, “Tita” asked the meat vendor for more money and gifts under the guise of celebrating the occasion.

When the victim grew suspicious and visited the niece at her home, he discovered that all the gifts he sent were with “Tita.”

Together, the victim and the niece filed a complaint against her at the PNP ACG’s Central Luzon unit.

“Tita” was arrested in San Manuel, Tarlac at 10:35 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

She was charged with computer-related identity theft under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

PNP ACG did not provide details as to the true identity of “Tita.”

In a statement, ACG officer-in-charge Col. Vina Guzman said, “We must remember that not everything we see on social media is genuine.”

“Always verify the identity of the person you are speaking with before sending money or gifts to ensure they are who they claim to be. Taking this simple precaution can protect you from becoming a victim of a romance scam,” Guzman added.