NCRPO warns: Cop impersonator runs extort racket via text

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is warning the public against a person who is using the name of a police official in an apparent extortion racket by sending out text messages informing the intended victim of his or her impending arrest.

NCRPO chief Director Carmelo Valmoria said Supt. Nicolas Salvador, officer in charge of the NCRPO’s operations unit, had received reports that someone had used his name at least five times “for unlawful intimidation.”

The first incident involved a woman who complained to the Rizal Provincial Police Office that she was threatened with arrest by a man who introduced himself as Salvador.

A similar case was reported on March 13 to the Dagupan City Police Office, while a third was reported on March 17 to the office of the Senior Police Assistant to the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The fourth case was relayed to Special Investigator Edwin Roxas of the National Bureau of Investigation on March 24, while the fifth reached the NCRPOÆs Office of Regional Logistic Division on March 28.

Valmoria said the text message sent by the “impersonator” informed the recipients about a supposed bench warrant that is about the be served on them by an unnamed sheriff “at exactly 12 p.m. tomorrow” and that a writ of preliminary attachment would be issued shortly “to check your property.”

The message mentioned “PSupt Nicolas Salvador (OIC Regional Operation)” as well as two contact numbers—02-2610637 and 0927-3536813.

When the Inquirer dialed the numbers on Saturday, the first was “outside the coverage area” while the second just kept ringing.

Valmoria said in all five cases, different cell phone numbers were used to send the message.

“The NCRPO does not have a warrant and subpoena section similar to police station and (Police) Supt. Nicolas Salvador who is a regional staff officer does not have the mandate to enforce bench warrant. Hence, potential victims are advised not to believe in this text message as the name of PSupt. Salvador is merely being used for this kind of extortion scheme,” the NCRPO chief said in a statement. Kristine Felisse Mangunay