Opportunists, swindlers strike in Cotabato City

COTABATO CITY - Police authorities here have warned the public against various modus operande of unscrupulous individuals who took advantaged of unsuspecting victims.First, an owner of a popular restaurant here has complained she was duped by unidentified man who dropped the name of a priest andthe Archdiocese of Cotabato.The resto, owner who asked not to be named, claimed a man managed to duped her of P10,000 worth of cellphone load.She told DXMS Radyo Bida that a man, who identified himself he was connected with the archdiocese of Cotabato, showed up in her restaurant claiming he was a friend of a diocesan priest.The resto owner said the man placed a reservation for meals to be attended by members of the clergy. The suspect then asked the lady owner to load P1,000 each to 10 mobile phone numbers which she obliged.She told police that she felt hypnotized and openly obliged to what the man had said.The man, who is now the subject of police manhunt, left with the food prepared by the restaurant to an unidentified location. He was with an unidentified companion.When she recovered her senses, she realized she was duped. A check with the archbishop's palace showed that it did not place any food reservations nor allowed anyone to represent a diocesan priest.Second, on Tuesday, police arrested a suspected illegal recruiter who dropped the name of Cotabato City administrator Cynthia Guiani Sayadi for duping some 300 individuals who paid P310 each.Police said the man identified himself as supervisor of Puregold department store which will open a branch in the city. Puregold is opening a branch in Cotabato City.He even conducted training and orientation to would be applicants for Puregold for a registration of P310.Sayadi said she has not authorized anyone or anybody to represent her, publicly or privately.The suspected swindler was identified asSamin
Mantawil Lucas, 30, ofPurok Amerol, resident ofMother Barangay Kalanganan, Cotabato City.After receiving complaints, the police planned out an entrapment which led to Lucas' arrest.Most of his victims were underage and teenagers from Upi, Maguindanao.Lucas is now detained at police station 1 lock up cell. His accomplished remained at large.