Con artist imitates woman’s voice in swindling activities

HIS ability to mimic the voice of a woman has allowed him to victimize several people, a suspected con artist revealed.

Joseph Llanes Cua, 25, a native of Davao City, said his ability to change his voice also helped him evade authorities out to arrest him.

Cua was allegedly involved in several swindling activities in Cebu and Mandaue cities. He was recently accused of duping a money exchange shop teller of P122,400 cash.

The teller was supposed to deliver the money to a certain Dr. Cortes who earlier called the shop to have his $3,000 changed to peso.

Anthony Lauron, teller of VHEZ Money Changer, identified the swindler through the police rouge’s gallery.

The swindler was later identified as Cua, who identified himself as Father Glenn when he allegedly stole the camera of Korean tourists in a Cebu City church in 2011.

Cua was arrested on Monday morning while driving a rented Toyota Innova AUV on Juan Luna Street in barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.

Operatives of the Mandaue police tailed the suspect when he left from the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino where he had checked in.

Cua said he was alone in his illegal activities.

“I don’t have a cohort because I don’t want to divide the loot with someone else, he said in Cebuano.

A complaint for estafa has been filed before the Mandaue City Prosecutors’ Office against the Cua. A separate complaint for possession of illegal drugs was filed yesterday against him.

Police said a pack of suspected shabu was recovered from the man during the arrest.

Eleven employees from different establishments in Metro Cebu positively identified Cua as the one who swindled them.

Cua has a pending warrant of arrest for estafa issued on June 18, 2010 by Regional Trial Court Judge Teresita Abarquez-Galanida of Branch 56./REPORTER JUCELL MARIE P. CUYOS