Taguig City: Members of the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (HPG) arrested a man allegedly engaged in the fraudulent processing and activation of transport network vehicle service (TNVS) accounts in Taguig City.
According to Philippines News Agency, HPG spokesperson Lt. Nadame Malang stated that an entrapment operation led to the arrest of the suspect, alias Khart, in Barangay Cembo on June 9. Khart was apprehended after demanding an additional PHP35,000 from one of his victims. The suspect allegedly posed as an agent, offering provisional permits for PHP15,000 to allow private vehicles to operate as TNVS, only for the accounts to be deactivated after one to two weeks.
During the arrest, authorities seized marked money and a cellular phone from the suspect. The PNP-HPG has received approximately 28 complaints against Khart, who is accused of collecting between PHP1.5 million to PHP2.3 million from victims through his fraudulent schemes.
The police are coordinating with the relevant ride-hailing company for an investigation, as the suspect reportedly mentioned having contacts within the company. The investigation aims to uncover how the suspect accessed the activation system of the app-based ride-hailing firm. Additionally, the police are working with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to halt these fraudulent operations.
Lt. Malang mentioned that authorities are investigating whether Khart is part of a larger syndicate involved in similar illegal activities. Meanwhile, the victims are preparing to file a large-scale estafa complaint against the suspect. Fernan Delos Reyes, one of the victims, expressed the pain of losing potential income and even having vehicles taken away due to false promises.
Wilfredo Sicio, the group's liaison officer, criticized the TNVS company for its lack of response to their complaints. Despite the charges, the suspect claimed he is also a victim. HPG director Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta advised individuals interested in earning money using their private vehicles to directly contact the LTFRB or a legitimate Transportation Network Company to learn the proper procedures.
