Cops padlock cheating money changers

City Hall police operatives padlocked yesterday six money changer shops in Ermita, Manila, for allegedly shortchanging their customers.

The six "hole-on-the-wall" establishments were also found to have committed some 40 violations by the city’s Bureau of Permits, according to Chief Inspector Antonio Entico, operations chief of the Western Police District’s Special Operations Group (SOG).

"You can easily spot clandestine establishments since they operate without business names. All they have are just signs of ‘money changer’ on their doors," Entico said.

People patronize these establishments because they offer higher exchange rates, Entico added. "But their customers always end up shortchanged by almost half their money’s worth."

According to Entico, operators of these bogus establishments, through sleight of hand, cheat their customers. "They will count the money in front of you to show you the right amount, but when you count it yourself later, it is short," Entico said.

Last Aug. 31, SOG operatives and Bureau of Permits officials raided several money changer shops in Mabini street in Ermita after a returning overseas Filipino worker from Japan complained that he was shortchanged by some P100,000 when he had his Japanese yen changed for pesos in one of these establishments.

The raiding team found out that most of these establishments do not have permits to operate. "The owners are very elusive. Even the personnel could not provide us the names of the owners," Entico lamented. A closure order were served to the raided establishments.

However, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza received reports that inspite of the closure order, these establishments continue to operate. He immediately ordered the SOG to padlock them and file the appropriate charges.

"We are presently monitoring the activities of other money changer shops. We will not hesitate to padlock their offices if we find out that they are violating business procedures and if they are engaged in’kotong," Entico said. – Nestor Etolle