Iranian accused of swindling, carnapping

CEBU, Philippines - Three persons lost more than P2 million worth of valuables and cash after they were allegedly swindled by an Iranian and his Filipina partner.

The victims went to the Cebu City Police Office to report carnapping and swindling against Hamid Reza Seifi Pour, 40, and Margarita Yap, who pretended to be a lawyer.

Seifi Pour and Yap reportedly own the Persian Star restaurant located along Escario St., Cebu City, but do not have a permanent address and just transfer from one house to another.

One of the victims, American national Vladimir Shubov, 66, of Barangay Lahug, alleged that Seifi Pour befriended him when they met last year at a gym in a hotel.

Seifi Pour gained the trust of Shubov, a retired software designer, and was able to borrow $10,000 saying it will be used to finance the jewelry business of the couple.

“The pieces of jewelry come from Iran and will be sent here in the Philippines and they also assured that checks they paid will not bounce,” Shubov said.

Shubov said they had no reason to doubt the suspect as he was able to pay the first debt as well as a second debt worth $20,000.

It was late last year when suspects started to borrow again, eventually reaching P1,430,000 which they failed to pay.

Shubov approach them for payment but both put up many excuses.

“They even sent me threat messages until they left for Iran in February and arrived back here in Cebu a few months later,” Shubov said.

After Shubov sought the help of the police he found he was not the only one victimized by the couple.

Another victim was Helen Famador, owner of Loramae Enterprises in Barangay Guadalupe that has a hardware, a parlor and a car display center.

Her lawyer Jerome Florita said Seifi Pour asked to test drive a Honda Jazz worth P750,000 last week and promised to return it immediately but a few hours later Seifi Pour still had not.

“Amo pa gani siya gitawagan kay ipa-emission pa namo unya ipa-rehistro ingon siya iyang ibalik Lunes (Sept. 30) pero pag-Lunes di na ma-contact ang cellphone niya,” Florita said.

Richard Tan, 26, a representative of the Radical Ads beside the Persian Star restaurant, also claimed that they gave P13,000 and P8,000 to Seifi Pour for their electric bills for two months since they shared one electric meter, but Seifi Pour reportedly pocketed the cash.

“Pareha man mi’g kwentador gud so magtunga mi sa kuryente pero wala man diay gibayad,” Tan said.

Tan plans to meet with the owner of the building to negotiate the matter.

Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, CIB chief, said Seifi Pour already left the country last Saturday. He added they will file all necessary charges against him and coordinate with their foreign liaison.

“Next move namo ang Bureau of Immigration through our intelligence foreign liaison,” Santander said.

Santander said they are also trying to locate Yap. — (FREEMAN)