Elderly accused of large-scale estafa falls in sting operation

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 62-year-old woman who allegedly swindled around 30 persons was arrested in a police entrapment operation on Nov 16, 2022 inside a mall in Jaro, Iloilo City.

Marilou Torres, a resident of Project 3, Barangay Sooc, Arevalo, was collared after she received fake money from a 42-year-old lady complainant from Jaro, Iloilo City.

Major R Araquil Guardaya, Crime Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Iloilo Field Unit chief, said Torres identified herself as a real estate agent.

But Torres’ clients claimed they have not received corresponding documents for their transactions.

After giving Torres time to make good on her promise, one of the complainants lodged a formal complaint before the CIDG.

Recovered from the crime scene were two P500 marked bills, fake money used in the sting, a Greenland Settler Association, Inc. (GSAI) official receipt signed by Torres, and a mobile phone.

The suspect is now detained and will be charged with violation of Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code.