Jamaican nabbed in tax scam

MANILA, Philippines - A Jamaican was arrested at a hotel near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for allegedly posing as a customs officer and duping a Thai man into paying $22,000 in “taxes” for the release of a package sent to him.

Dickson Jones was apprehended based on the complaint of Thanong Sookdee, who said he arrived in the country last Oct. 30 to collect a package sent by a friend from Germany.

He said he received a call telling him to meet a diplomat named John Paul who would handle the release of the package. Authorities have yet to locate Paul and the package.