Woman in ‘investment scam’ nabbed in police entrapment

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A woman who offered a get-rich-quick scheme was arrested following a police entrapment operation at a mall in Mandurriao, Iloilo City late afternoon of Oct 26, 2022.

Police immediately handcuffed Sheiryl Tuvilla, 42, of Zone 1, Bo. Obrero, Lapuz, Iloilo City after she received the marked money amounting to P500,000 (P5,000 marked bills and boodle or fake money at P495,000) inside a fast-food chain.

At least five persons lodged a complaint before the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Region 6 against Tuvilla for large-scale estafa, which is punishable under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code.

Two complainants are from Lapuz district and one is from Lapaz, Iloilo City.

The other complainants are from Buenavista, Guimaras, and from Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, the suspect’s hometown.

Lieutenant Colonel Julius Jacinto, CIDG-Iloilo City Field Unit chief, believed that there could be other individuals who fell prey to Tuvilla’s alleged investment scam.

She allegedly offered a 30 percent interest on the money they will invest within a 14-day period.

The five complainants alleged they started investing in May 2022 in the amount of P2,565,503.

One of the complainants claimed that Tuvilla was initially able to return their earnings.

But it didn’t take long for her to remiss on her dues.

She instead issued postdated checks.

When they tried to encash the checks, they learned that account was already closed.

When the complainants demanded payment, Tuvilla offered them another investment scheme.

This prompted the complainants to report to CIDG and have Tuvilla arrested.

Aside from the marked money, police also recovered two blank checks with indicated amounts of P75,000 and P575,000; two copies of

acknowledgment receipt; four copies of partnership agreement; a check booklet, two mobile phones, and several other belongings.

Tuvilla is now in CIDG custody.