Bogus cop linked to scam

MANILA, Philippines - A man who tried to avoid arrest for illegal drugs by posing as a police officer found himself in deeper trouble after his alleged link to a swindling operation was exposed while he was being investigated, a Makati City police official said yesterday.

Carlo Vasquez was arrested along Almario street in Barangay Tejeros at around 2 p.m. Saturday, said Chief Inspector Gaylord Tamayo, deputy chief of the Makati police Criminal Investigation Division (CID).

He said Vasquez introduced himself as a police officer and even presented a Philippine National Police identification card.

However, the card turned out to be forged and the police officers searched Vasquez. They found a sachet of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu on his person, Tamayo said.

While Vasquez was being investigated at the Station Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Group office, at least 10 complainants who learned of his arrest appeared, according to Tamayo.

The complainants claimed that Vasquez posted an online advertisement offering his services to facilitate the franchising of UV Express public utility vehicles with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

Tamayo said the complainants alleged that they paid Vasquez P100,000 each for his help in securing franchises for their public utility vehicles, but he disappeared after receiving their money.

According to Tamayo, Vasquez may have collected at least P1.8 million from his alleged victims.

Tamayo said the CID is coordinating with the city police’s investigation section to look deeper into Vasquez’s alleged swindling activities.

Vasquez is now detained at the CID office after charges of illegal drug possession and usurpation of authority have been filed against him before the city prosecutor’s office.