Alleged con artist faces more charges

MANILA, Philippines - A woman arrested in an entrapment Tuesday for allegedly trying to swindle a resident of Quezon City is facing more charges after four more complainants came forward, police said yesterday.

Edna Santos’ entrapment was set up after she made a random call to the house of Ryan Joe Florano, 29, in Fairview, police said.

Superintendent Virgilio Fabian, Quezon City Police District Station 5 commander, said Santos allegedly posed as a lawyer’s employee, claiming she wanted to settle a traffic accident involving a girl and Florano’s “bosses.”

Florano, who said the caller did not seem to know who she was supposed to look for, pretended to be a domestic worker.

“How could my parents be involved in any accident? They’re abroad,” Florano, 29, he said.

He said he played along with the suspect, who told him to bring cash and valuables to settle the case. As Florano was talking with the suspect, he was already sending a text message to Fabian.

Fabian responded to the text message that Florano sent. “I told him to just continue talking to the woman,” he said.

QCPD deputy director for administration Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao said the entrapment at a mall along North Edsa was set up by Florano, who used jewelry, cash and cell phones as bait.

More tricks

Pagdilao said Cheryruth Takemura filed charges against Santos for reportedly stealing her Hermes bag on June 25, 2012.

Takemura said she was with her uncle at a coffee shop in a mall in Cubao.

“The suspect dropped a P20 bill on the floor and called their attention to it. At this point, Santos took away the Hermes bag carrying cash and valuables worth around P350,000,” Pagdilao said.

Another of Santos’ alleged victims was Quezon City Assistant Prosecutor Linda Ordonio, Fabian said. He said Santos used the same modus operandi, calling up Ordonio’s home in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

“The fiscal’s helper saw the suspect on television after her arrest and identified her,” Fabian said.

He said two more complainants came forward yesterday, noting that both victims said Santos and her accomplices allegedly called up their homes and told their family members or helpers they had been involved in an accident and that money was needed to settle the case with the supposed victim.

Juvy Nitapan of Manila reported that she lost P1.2 million in jewelry on Jan. 22 while Borris Balobago of San Juan lost valuables on Jan. 25.