NBI nabs 2 Liberians for dollar production scam

The NBI headquarters in Manila (File photo / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested two Liberian nationals reportedly involved in an estafa case during an entrapment operation in Manila, the agency said Friday.

Operatives of NBI-Special Action Unit (NBI-SAU) arrested Abraham Victor alias “George” and Harry Shoum Teenessee in an operation conducted in Malate district on Wednesday, the NBI Information Division said in a statement.

The suspects allegedly swindled an unnamed complainant with $10,000, which was supposed to serve as the initial payment for the purchase of chemicals that would allegedly convert special paper money into genuine US dollars.

NBI Director Dante A. Gierran said the suspects gave the complainant a securely wrapped package supposedly with a machine that allegedly combines a special chemical with paper which turns the paper into US dollars.

But to the complainant’s surprise, the package did not contain a machine but instead contained nothing but an improvised vault with green colored paper cut in the size of money bills, Gierran said.

When the men asked for the additional balance of $90,000, the complainant reported the matter to the NBI, he added.

Gierran then ordered the conduct of operation, which led to the suspects’ arrest.

Right after the entrapment operation, the suspects undergone inquest proceedings before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila, Gierran said. /jpv