Bogus lawyer nabbed for estafa

A man who introduced himself as a lawyer was arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for alleged estafa.

The suspect was identified as Armin Arzaga, 43, of 1749 Leveriza Street, Pasay City.

Investigation conducted by the NBI Special Task Force showed that Arzaga was hired by Anselma Orquiola and Annie Kotake, owners of K-Ann Promotion and Training Center, for a case filed against them before the Imus Prosecutor’s Office involving alleged illegal recruitment activities.

Misrepresenting himself as a lawyer connected with the Fernandez, Arzaga and Associates law firm, Arzaga allegedly collected from Orquiola and Kotake some P98,000 in notarial and service fees.

However, nothing happened after the amount was paid. On March 9, Arzaga reportedly again demanded P40,000 from the complainants as payment for the preparation of a counter-affidavit.

It was at this point that the complainants sought the help of the NBI which arranged an entrapment operation against the suspect.

According to the complainants, Arzaga also advised them to get a license from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Securities and Exchange Commission and was demanding P369,000 as payment for processing the license.

Last March 22, NBI-STF agents positioned themselves at the Rojonet restaurant in Imus, Cavite, where Kotake and Arzaga agreed to meet the suspect for the payment. While inside the restaurant, STF agents arrested Arzaga after receiving the marked money from Kotake.

A verification conducted by the NBI showed that Arzaga is not a member of the Philippine Bar. Further verification also showed that Arzaga was employed at the Court of Appeals from May 16, 1995 but was dropped from the rolls on October 4, 2002.