The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested two alleged scammers for large-scale estafa in an entrapment operation in Pasay City.
Authorities identified the suspects, Maverick Das Punjabi y Guasch, and Jazpher Macaraig Rayos.
According to the NBI, the arrest stemmed from a complaint filed by a victim who was allegedly deceived by one of the suspects, PunjabI, and introduced himself as the nephew and agent of a certain "Mr. Kumar," whom he claimed owned a lending company.
"He claimed that he could process and secure the approval of a cash loan amounting to Php 20,000,000.00 in exchange for a facilitation fee," NBI wrote in a statement.
In exchange for the supposed loan processing, the complainant handed over a Hermès Birkin 35 Raisin Clemence handbag valued at P500,000 as a facilitation fee.
“Through her friend, the Complainant was able to communicate with the real Mr. Kumar, who clarified that he was not the person she had transacted with and that he had no connection to Subject Punjabi,” said NBI.
Punjabi demanded on May 21, 2025, an additional Php 42,000.00 facilitation fee, instructing the complainant to meet him at a restaurant in Pasay City, to which she sought assistance and filed a complaint with the NBI-NCR.
Following the request of the entrapment operation, the NBI-NCR agents accompanied the complainant to the agreed meeting location. Following the exchange of the marked money, agents arrested Punjabi on the spot.
“During the standard booking procedures, a certain James Kumar called Punjabi’s cellphone and demanded his share of the facilitation fee,” NBI added.
This prompted the NBI agents to conduct a hot pursuit operation, leading to the arrest of Rayos, who was identified as the caller and accomplice, who was apprehended after receiving the marked money from Punjabi.
The suspects were immediately presented for inquest proceedings at the Office of the City Prosecutor of Pasay City for Large-Scale Estafa under Article 315, paragraph 2(a) of the Revised Penal Code.
They will also face charges under Section 6 and Section 4(b)(3) of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, specifically for computer-related identity theft.
In addition to the two arrested individuals, the NBI has also filed charges against Marco de Guzman and an individual identified only as Voltaire, who both remain at large.
