Three arrested in cattle ‘AI scam’

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – Three individuals were arrested in an entrapment operation on Tuesday in Barangay Tangub for allegedly being involved in an artificial insemination (AI) scam targeting cattle owners.

The suspects, identified as “Arnold,” 64; “Nelson,” 20; and “Alan,” 63, are residents of Cebu City, Negros Occidental, and Manila, respectively, according to a police report.

Police Lt. Col. Joery Puerto, head of the City Investigation and Detection Management Unit (CIDMU), said it took years of monitoring before they apprehended the suspects, following several complaints of fraud.

Puerto explained that the group’s modus operandi involved offering a product sample they claimed would enable cattle to produce two calves.

They allegedly sold each box for PHP 22,000, convincing victims that the product was essential for artificial insemination.

To further entice their victims, the suspects would claim the supply was limited, encouraging bulk orders.

“This was their way of luring victims,” Puerto said.

In 2022, a victim was scammed out of PHP 125,000 when the products they purchased turned out to be green peas.

The following year, another victim lost PHP 750,000 after buying boxes of powders purported to aid in cattle insemination.

Authorities conducted a transaction with the suspects for PHP 400,000, leading to their arrest. Police seized three large boxes containing 50 boxes of tea packs, valued at PHP 3.3 million.

Puerto believes the suspects may be part of a larger group and said they are investigating whether there are other accomplices.

The three suspects are currently detained at Police Station 8.