Conman arrested for selling fake platinum bar

A man who introduced himself as a lawyer was arrested yesterday for allegedly selling a fake platinum bar at the Mandaue City Reclamation Area.

Honorito Matin-ao, 48, of barangay Sangi, Lapu-Lapu City, was arrested in an entrapment operation by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Visayas (CIDG-7).

Police said Matina-ao offered to sell a platinum bar for P1.4 million to a couple.The price was later reduced to P900,000.

During the transaction, the man claimed he was a lawyer, a member of the International Police Commission and an adviser of the Visayas Ombudsman.

The complainants, who run a jewelry business, asked not to be named while they have yet to execute their affidavits.

The couple coordinated with the police after they were alerted that the item was probably fake. Platinum, a silvery white metal, is a precious metal comparable to gold and silver.

Matin-ao and the couple met in a fastfood chain.The seller was arrested after accepting payment from the couple.

Matina-o initially resisted arrest. He insisted that he was a lawyer but one who has not been practicing the profession. He later admitted that he was not a lawyer.

Several Interpol IDs were recovered from the man’s possession, said police.

Police later brought the metal bar to a pawnshop where its content was confirmed fake.

Matin-ao said it was his uncle who asked him to sell the bar.

He said his uncle has already sold several “platinum” bars already.