Four expats, Pinoy lawyer file estafa charges vs Boracay realtor
Four American expatriates and a Filipino lawyer have individually filed a case of estafa before the Aklan Provincial Prosecutor’s Office Monday against a Filipina who claims to own vast properties in Boracay Island.
In a press conference in Boracay, the complainants introduced themselves as Canadians Peter Eckart and Peter Tayler; Americans Spencer Anderson and Evelyn Anderson; and Filipino lawyer Lucas Licerio, who are residents of Boracay.
They claimed to have been duped by a certain Dolly Khana who claimed as proprietor of the Boracay Luxury Homes.
“Khana have duped the foreigners of around P100 million for the past years and they wanted to get it back. They are businessmen in the United States and wanted to retire for good in the country but the suspect duped them by promising them real property ownership in Boracay,” said Atty. Gina Garcia, their lawyer.
Atty. Lucas Licerio said that in 2007, Khana approached him to serve as his agent in selling his lots in Boracay Island.
Khana, however, claimed ownership of the lots and sold it to the foreigners.
“We believe Khana have victimized more foreigners but they are afraid to come out in the open for certain reasons. We have documents to show that Khana has already been convicted for estafa charges in California, USA,” Garcia said.
Garcia said they held a press conference to encourage other victims to come out and, at the same time, warn other would-be investors against dealing with Khana.
The Anderson couple claimed they have been harassed by Khana and threatened them against pressing charges against her. They have filed complaints with the police consisting of eight alleged harassment cases they experienced with Khana.
The complainants also said the Security and Exchange Commission, including the Bureau of Internal Revenue, have said that Khana’s Boracay Luxury Homes and its attached companies are not registered and she is not a taxpayer.
“One of the schemes of Khana is to place a full-page color advertisement in several national magazines and other prominent publications in the country, promoting her Boracay Luxury Homes. Khana seemed to be an influential person,” Garcia said.
Last October 8, agents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) swooped down in the resort island on reports that a group of children were being held hostage by Licerio. The report however turned out negative.
Licerio said he believes that Khana is behind the scheme of giving the NBI false information.
Khana is reportedly still in Boracay but she could not be reached for comment as of press time.*PNA
