Mother, daughter arrested for alleged marriage annulment scam

A mother and her daughter were arrested for their alleged involvement in an annulment scam, according to John Consulta’s “24 Oras” report on Thursday.

Operatives from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) International Operation Division apprehended Nora and Bea Molina after they received the P120,000 marked money in a sting operation conducted in an establishment in Manila.

The complainant reported to the NBI that the suspects assured that they will process the annulment case in 2020.

The suspects charged about P300,000 then they asked for additional P120,000.

“‘Yun po kasing ating subject ay humihingi ng karagdagang P120,000 na di umano ay hinihingi po ng husgado kung saan pending po yung petition. Wala po talagang naka-file na case with the court na sinasabi po nila na nakabinbin po yung petition,” NBI deputy spokesperson Atty. Gertrude Manandeg said.

(The suspects were asking for an additional P120,000, saying that the court, where the petition was filed, is asking for it. However, the case was not filed in court.)

An estafa complaint was filed against the suspects, who declined to issue a statement.

“Ang mga kaso na ito ay may batas at prosesong sinusunod sa filing po. Kung wala pong budget may available po na free consultation ang ating mga Public Attorney’s Office. Kung kaya naman po ay maiging kumonsulta sa lehitimong law firm,” Manandeg said.

(These cases have a law and process to follow in filing. If they have no budget, our public attorney's offices have free consultation available. They should also consult with a legitimate law firm.)

The Public Attorney's Office (PAO) said they help with the annulment cases as long as the person asking for help has a certificate of indigency, has income between P20,000 to P24,000 depending on where they live, and has valid grounds to file the annulment of marriage. -- Richa Noriega/BAP, GMA News