More complaints expected against family of swindlers
The Iloilo City Police Office is expecting more complaints against the family of swindlers from Cebu who were arrested Tuesday afternoon after they attempted to victimize a woman at Plaza Libertad in City Proper, Iloilo City.
Arrested were Genaro Alipio, 74, and his wife, Amelita, 69, both of Pook, Talisay City, Cebu, and their daughter-in law, Mylene Alipio, 39.
Their would-be victim Rose Luna, 49, of JV Jocson St., Arevalo district texted his police friend, PO1 Bryan Alamo of Police Station 1, that a group of persons approached and befriended her.
Luna suspected that they were members of a swindling syndicate, as they were asking for help about a trucking service, a modus operandi of “budol-budol” suspects.
The ICPO Station 1 then conducted an entrapment operation, resulting to the suspects’ arrest.
The suspects tried to bribe the informant with their fake money in exchange of her money and jewelry.
Police Station 1 chief, Senior Insp. Elizer Baclagon, said the suspects gave fictitious names.
Amelita identified herself as Emily Lamposa while Mylene Alipio used the name Mary Jean Bermudez.
Genaro denied they are swindlers, saying they came to Iloilo City last Friday as tourists.
But the police recovered from the suspects a bag with padlock containing fake money and bundles of cut papers, along with automated teller machine cards bearing different names, cheque books, and both fake and genuine jewelry.
Senior Supt. Dennis Basngi, city police director, said businessman Jose Carlito Tejereso of Brgy. Tabucan, Cabatuan, Iloilo lost P280,000 to the group.
The wallet and senior citizen’s identification card of an elderly woman who was victimized by pickpockets inside a mall were also recovered from the suspects.*
