Remittance agency charged with swindling

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed charges of syndicated estafa against seven remittance firm officials after the firm failed to remit P300,000 sent by an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in London to her family in the Philippines.

NBI Director Nestor Mantaring identified the respondents as Josephine Alayon, general manager and treasurer of Far East Express Remittance Philippines Inc., with office address at South Star Plaza Building on South Super Highway in Barangay Bangkal, Makati City; chairman Adan Ubando; corporate secretary Roberto Dio; assistant corporate secretary Ma. Pilar Pilares-Gutierrez.

They were charged with syndicated estafa before the Department of Justice (DOJ) after Linie Namoca, 31, accused them of not remitting a total of 3,800 pounds (P316,487) sent by her sister, Lizle, a registered nurse working in London, through AJ Global Services Ltd.

Lizle paid the corresponding service fee to AJ Global Services, with instructions that the amount be remitted in the Philippines and deposited in the savings account of Linie at the Banco de Oro’s Ortigas branch.

Lizle then called up her sister that the money was already sent. However, upon verification, Banco de Oro said no money was remitted.

Lizle then confronted AJ Global Services Ltd., which said it already sent the money to Far East Express, its sister company in the Philippines.

Far East Express told Linie that the money had been sent, but there were some delays due to accounting problems.

Months passed, and despite repeated demands, no money was remitted. This prompted Linie to file a complaint with the NBI.

The NBI sent a subpoena to Far East Express’ last known address, which was in Valero Tower Condominium in Makati City. The subpoena was returned allegedly because the remittance firm had changed addresses.

The NBI sent the subpoena to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which had the firm’s new address and a list of its incorporators.   – Sandy Araneta