Couple charged with estafa for selling fake smartphones online

MANILA, Philippines — Marikina policemen have filed charges against a couple who were arrested earlier for allegedly selling counterfeit smartphones online.

A statement from the Eastern Police District identified one of the suspects as 18-year-old Bernadette Mandapat, also known as Ayessa Enriquez and Berna, and a resident of Pigeon Street in Barangay Malanday (village), Marikina City. She was arrested with Duane Allen Mossman, 20, a resident of Goodrich Village in Barangay Concepcion Uno, Marikina City.

The two were accused of estafa and other forms of deceit under the Revised Penal Code by Reina Carla Angeles after they allegedly sold her a counterfeit smartphone.

Investigation showed that the victim purchased a black Samsung Galaxy S4 from the two through their account on the online selling website sulit.com.ph. Angeles said she paid the couple P30,000 on Aug. 31 during a meet-up at a mall in Marikina City.

However, when Angeles brought the phone to a Samsung retailer in Masinag, Antipolo City, she found out that it was not an original but only a clone.

She reported the fraudulent transaction to the Marikina police and showed them a certification from Samsung as evidence.

As part of the entrapment operation, the victim bought another phone from the couple who were arrested on Sept. 21 when they met up with Angeles at a branch of a fast-food chain in Barangay San Roque, Marikina.