CIDG ARRESTS 3 IN ANGELES CITY LUXURY WATCH SCAM

BY KEVIN GALANG

OPERATIVES of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrests three people involved in an alleged luxury watch scam in Angeles City, Pampanga.

CIDG Regional Field Unit 3 chief Col. Grant Gollod said the operation  conducted by CIDG Angeles City Field Criminal Investigation Unit  led to the arrest of a 25-year-old woman identified as alias “Ellie,” of Angeles City; alias “Eson,” 49, of Lourdes Sur East, Angeles City; and alias “Obie,” 41, of Lakandula, Mabalacat City.

Gollod said the entrapment stemmed from a complaint filed by former party-list representative Jorge Antonio Bustos, who allegedly became suspicious after a luxury watch offered to him was found to be counterfeit.

An investigation showed Ellie allegedly pawned a Patek Philippe wristwatch to Bustos on July 16 for P1.5 million, claiming that it was authentic. 

The watch was later subjected to authentication and was allegedly found to be fake.

Ellie subsequently offered to sell the victim two Rolex watches and another Patek Philippe timepiece, prompting the complainant to seek assistance from the CIDG Angeles CFU.

During the entrapment, the victim met Ellie at his residence in Angeles City to pay the agreed amount for two Rolex watches that had allegedly been delivered to him earlier.

Police said Ellie also presented a Patek Philippe wristwatch for possible sale.

After Ellie received the agreed payment, the operating team identified themselves as police officers and arrested her.

Recovered from the suspect were a Rolex Submariner Black No Date Oystersteel watch, Rolex boxes and manuals, official receipts, and a receipt from Panotes Watch Repair Shop indicating that the Rolex Submariner was “NOT AUTHENTIC.”

Authorities also recovered a Rolex Daytona Ice Blue watch and several Patek Philippe-related boxes, certification documents and a wristwatch with a red strap.

After her arrest, police said Ellie voluntarily disclosed that she was supposed to meet two men at a fastfood restaurant along Friendship Highway in Korean Town, Angeles City, to whom she would deliver the money she had just received.

The operating team proceeded to the meeting place with Ellie.

The woman met Eson and Obie and personally handed over the money. After the transaction was completed, the officers identified themselves and arrested the two men.

Also confiscated from the suspects were a .45-caliber firearm, one live round loaded in its chamber, one magazine and seven additional live rounds from the two men.

Authorities also recovered 11 assorted keys attached to a red strap, a gray Mitsubishi Montero Sport with plate number LAJ6173, and one unidentified explosive.

The firearm and ammunition were confiscated for documentation and verification. 

Additional charges for alleged violations of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and Republic Act 9516 which covers illegal possession and manufacture of explosives and incendiary devices, would be filed against the arrested suspects, police said.

The three suspects were brought to the CIDG Angeles CFU office for documentation, booking procedures and temporary detention pending the filing of appropriate charges for estafa and violations of the firearms and explosives laws before the Prosecutor’s Office.