Man caught for duping company

CEBU, Philippines -  A man was arrested yesterday in an uptown mall for acquiring high-end phones from a telecommunications company by using fictitious names.

Rodel Repdos, 25, will be facing charges for estafa and violation of the Anti-Alias Law, for reportedly tricking Globe Telecom, Inc.

Gerald Bechayda, security officer of Globe Telecom Ayala branch, said they arrested Repdos in an entrapment operation yesterday at their office when the suspect was about to dupe them again using another name.

Last November 29, Bechayda said, Repdos  applied for a post-paid plan using the name of one Nonito Montemayor, a unit manager of Cocolife Insurance based in Fuente Osmeña.

The suspect then applied for their most expensive plan, thus he was able to acquire a Samsung Galaxy Note 2. The gadget originally cost P32,990 but with the plan, the customer would supposedly pay P2,500 in two years.

Yesterday, the suspect allegedly applied for the same plan using another name again using fake pay slips and certificate of employment.

To verify the authenticity of the customer’s identity, Bechayda said they used to call the company the customer is allegedly employed.

Admitting that that they were prone to being tricked, he said they now have a rigid verification of identities by visiting the companies. This was how they found that Repdos used a fake name and actually worked as an agent of Cocolife Insurance, not as unit manager.

The suspect, who resides in Barangay Lahug and a native of Iloilo City, also have different identification cards bearing the name of Montemayor, Repdos, and one Ronnie Flores with the same photo of him.

Globe Telecom sought the help of the Investigation and Detective Management Branch of the Cebu City Police Office where the suspect is now temporarily detained while the charges are being prepared against him.

Bechayda said they are checking if Repdos has victimized other Globe branches.

The suspect, in an interview, admitted to the crime. But he said he has done such things only in Cebu.

Meanwhile in another incident, police seized several tally sheets and several other gambling paraphernalia from the house of a masiao coordinator in Barangay Busay, Cebu City last Thursday night.

Operatives from the City Intelligence Branch led by Chief Insp. Romeo Santander were armed with a search warrant issued by Judge Simeon Dumdum of the Regional Trial Court Branch 7.

Police failed to arrest Wilfredo Borres, Jr. also known as Winefredo Borres, Jr., the alleged masiao coordinator but they were able to confiscate fax  machines, tally sheets, stubs, ballpens and cash amounting to P133,400 believed to be proceeds of the illegal gambling activity.

Borres’ wife, Lea, admitted that her husband is a masiao coordinator. Santander said Borres operates in Cebu City and in the neighboring towns.  (FREEMAN)