Cops arrest man posing as TNVS agent

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MANILA, Philippines — A man posing as a representative for a transportation network vehicle services (TNVS) company has been arrested in an entrapment operation in Taguig City.

Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (HPG) spokesperson Lt. Nadame Malang said the suspect, who is facing 13 complaints and could be charged with large-scale estafa, collected around P1.5 million to P2.3 million from his victims.

“This is a well-known and widely recognized [TNVS] company here in our country. We are also looking into whether there’s a large group or possible accomplices involved, which could explain how he was able to exploit these opportunities,” Malang said.

READ: Easing of TNVS franchising rules to generate more jobs, says group

Part of the unidentified suspect’s modus was to give driver-clients a provisional permit to get a temporary franchise to operate their private vehicles for P15,000.

The franchise, however, would be deactivated after one to two weeks, and the suspect would ask his victims for more money to extend it. —Frances Mangosing