7 arrested for online love scam

MANILA, Philippines — Seven persons were arrested for allegedly defrauding a seaman of P600,000 using a fake Facebook account to convince him he was in love with a woman he met online, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

“The complainant was working abroad. He was befriended on Facebook. They had a relationship online. He would send money,” PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) director Chief Superintendent Marni Marcos said.

Ma. Angelica Miguel, 21; Richelle Casilla, 32; Jeanly Shane Boyore, 18; Juvy Ann Capino, 19; Arjay Balansayo, 27; John Luis Patrick Acol, 19; and Jim Anthony Besonia, 18, were arrested by police officers from the ACG and the Quezon City Police District in an entrapment operation.

Seaman Frederick Egea, 23, found out about the scam when he tried to meet his online girlfriend in person.

The suspects asked the seaman for money during the course of their two-year “relationship,” claiming she needed money for her tuition and other expenses, Marcos said.