Group nabbed for alleged scam on NBI premises

Authorities on Wednesday arrested three members of a fake recruitment group offering their services within the premises of an NBI branch itself.

According to John Consulta’s report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday, the group claimed to be accredited with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and allegedly offered government programs inside the gate of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance Section in NBI Batangas.

The arrested suspects were allegedly part of a group called Bagong Bansang Maharlika International Inc. (BBMII). Authorities seized from them application forms, documents, and marked money used by the operatives in the sting.

“Nagulat din kami kung bakit dito pa sa opisina ng NBI, kung bakit sila ganun ka-brazen. Sinasabi nila for a certain membership fee ay pwede ka maging kasapi nitong BBMI. Vinalidate namin, gumawa kami ng imbestigasyon, at napag-alaman namin na di pala sila allowed ng SEC na mag-recruit at manghingi ng membership fee. Di rin sila nakalista sa DSWD," said NBI Batangas Chief Attorney Christopher Hernandez.

The group allegedly promised livelihood programs, food security, free education, free hospitalization, burial assistance, and cash assistance to senior citizens in exchange for membership fees.

Last August, the SEC warned the public of the group's activities, saying it is not authorized by either the SEC or the DSWD.

"'Yan ang aking naging purpose, para ako’y tumulong, na ngayon, nalaman ko nang ganito, di na dapat ipagpatuloy," one of the arrested suspects defended.

They are facing a complaint of attempted estafa, violation of the Revised Corporation Code and the law regulating Social Welfare Practice or Republic Act 10847.

"Hindi sila accredited, meron tayong mga programa sa gobyerno na pwede namang maavail ng mga kababayan na di na dadaan sa ganitong mga bogus na organization," said Hernandez. — Sherylin Untalan/BM, GMA Integrated News