3 ‘investment scam’ victims file raps in QC

MANILA, Philippines–Three more victims of an investment scam, whose alleged mastermind was arrested earlier by the Makati City police, have stepped forward in Quezon City.

The Quezon City Police District Criminal and Investigation Unit (QCPD-CIDU) on Thursday said complaints for syndicated estafa and bouncing checks were filed Aug. 7 at the city prosecutor’s office against San Juan city resident Peter James Abarico and his brother Brian Alfred.

On July 30, Peter James was arrested in an entrapment operation by the Makati police. It was earlier reported that Peter James had managed to dupe around 100 victims, including police officers, for P300 million. The Abaricos claimed to be middlemen for the Bureau of Customs looking for moneylenders.

They promised their victims a return of investment with high interest within five days, according to Chief Insp. Rodelio Marcelo, chief of the QCPD-CIDU. The latest complainants from Quezon City were businessmen Teofanis Encallado and couple August and Griceel Agpalza, all residents of Barangay (village) Tandang Sora.–Jaymee T. Gamil