Fake online seller arrested after using customer’s identity to deceive other victims

Authorities arrested a fake online seller, who also used his customers’ identity to lure in other victims by using social media accounts, according to Jonathan Andal’s “24 Oras” report on Thursday.

Suspect Christian Sanchez Jr., 18, was arrested in an entrapment operation conducted by the police in Mandaluyong City.

His modus was pretending to be an online seller of cheap cellphones through Facebook.

After an individual expressed interest in buying an item, the transaction would seem legitimate because Sanchez asks for pictures of valid IDs. However, he uses these pictures of valid I.D. to scam other people.

This was what  happened to his latest victim, Jonathan Quilatan, who thought he was buying a cellphone for only P3,900.

The suspect wanted him to pay immediately, however, Quilatan did not agree.

He later on agreed for cash on delivery arrangement, then was asked for ID pictures that would be supposedly proof that he was a legitimate buyer.

“Sabi niya po gayahin mo ako para sure lang. Nagsend po sa akin ID hawak niya, ako naman po ginaya ko naman po. Sinend ko rin po sa kanya tapos pagtapos non hindi na po siya nagreply,” Quilatan said.

(He directed me to follow him and make sure to send him a picture of me with the ID holding it, I just followed him. I also sent it to him and then he didn't reply.)

He was surprised to find out the next day that the selfie and I.D. card that he sent had been posted on various buy and sell Facebook groups saying that he was a scammer.

Quilatan discovered that the suspect had used his I.D. card in scamming other people.

He also found out that the I.D. card and selfie that the suspect used belonged to someone else.

“Nagalit po ako na natakot po. Ako po yung babalikan ng mga taong nabudol niya po,” Quilatan said.

(I was angry and scared, because the people he scammed would be going after me.)

The suspect, after his arrest, admitted the allegations. He was able to dupe seven individuals in just one month.

“Pasensya na po sa mga nabiktima ko sir, kailangan ko lang po para sa anak ko sir. Nawalan po ako ng trabaho sir eh,” suspect said.

(I'm sorry to all my victims. I just needed money for my son. I lost my job.)

He will face charges for violation of computer-related identity theft as provided under Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

The authorities advised the public to be careful with their online transactions.

“'Pag nanghihingi ng selfie sa 'yo and I.D. that is a red flag na. Pag medyo masyadong mura eh magisip isip ka. It is either may diperensya yan or niloloko ka lang talaga. We do not advise the public to transact online kasi andaming bogus na personalities dyan online,” said P/LT Michelle Sabino, spokesperson of PNP ACG.

(When someone asks for a selfie from you and I.D., that is a red flag. When the price is too cheap, think about this transaction. It is either there is a defect or you are just being scammed. We do not advise the public to transact online because there are so many fake identities out there online.)

GMA News has sought comment from the Department of Trade and Industry and Meta, which owns the social media platform Facebook.