2 more fall prey to ‘7650’ swindle

Two gullible businessmen intending to cash in on a seized shipment of cellular phones were gypped yesterday by swindlers who claimed to have connections with the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

After being convinced that the release of 20 units of Nokia 7650 cell phones could be effected from a Customs bonded warehouse at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for only P180,000, two brothers readily parted with their money.

Renato and Sammy Castro proceeded to the Customs bonded warehouse after being told that seized imported items, particularly cell phones, could be acquired at half the price from a group with connections inside the BOC.

Later, a certain Borja, posing as a lawyer of the BOC, approached them and offered the 7650 cell phones, which he claimed were seized by the bureau from an arriving passenger who could not afford to pay the taxes.

The brothers couldn’t let the opportunity slip away, knowing fully well how much the phones cost in the market. They entrusted their money to Borja and waited for him to return with the goods.

The lawyer never came back.

After complaining to Customs authorities, they later found out that they were not the first ones to be swindled by Borja’s group.

Customs District Collector Celso Templo said despite repeated warnings to the public against dealing with suspicious persons near the Customs bonded warehouse at the NAIA, there are still a lot of gullible persons who are easily lured by the prospect of easy money. – Rey Arquiza