Vietnamese arrested in Taguig for alleged P1 M currency exchange scam

MANILA, Philippines — A Vietnamese woman was arrested in Taguig City for alleged involvement in a P1-million cyber-enabled estafa scheme, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Tuesday.

In a statement, the NCRPO said the suspect was allegedly involved in a fraudulent currency exchange scheme.

She reportedly deceived a Vietnamese male national by posing as an intermediary between the victim and an alleged Chinese national.

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The suspect allegedly instructed the victim to transfer VND 454,000,000 (equivalent to P1,000,000) through a QR code provided by the suspect as part of the exchange arrangement. 

However, after the transfer was completed, it was later discovered that the QR code did not belong to the supposed Chinese national.

Upon being reported to the authorities, police were able to arrest the suspect along Federation Drive, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City last Sunday.

Authorities were also able to secure digital evidence linked to the QR code used in the fraudulent transaction, which will form part of the complaint for Violation of Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code (Estafa) in relation to Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

The NCRPO said the arrested suspect has already undergone inquest proceedings for violation of Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code or Estafa, in relation to Republic Act No. 10175. /gsg