20 women 'fell in love' with suspect via dating app, lose up to P15 million

A suspect was arrested for allegedly convincing about 20 women to fall in love with him, invest up to P15 million, and then leaving them behind, according to the report of John Consulta on "Saksi."

The suspect, identified as Jeremiah Jaime Vergara, was arrested inside a restaurant in Mandaluyong City by operatives from the NBI Cybercrime Division.

The officials seized his bag and found several bank passbooks, passport, and three sachets of cocaine.

According to the NBI, the suspect used ala-"Tinder-swindler" modus to find female victims online aged 30 to 40.

"Itong subject natin usually engages in a dating app. Ine-induce niya yung mga biktima, pinapa-ibig niya, Magoofer siya ng business in a form of investment. For example, condominium sale or renta ng house and lot," said Atty. Jeremy Lotoc, NBI Cybercrime Division chief.

Lotoc said the suspect will bring the money with him and play at a casino and if he loses, he leaves his victim.

One of the victims, "Anna (not her real name)" said she conducted a research on the suspect and failing to find anything incriminating trusted the suspect and made an investment of a few hundred thousand pesos.

Anna said, however, she is more concerned over her being unable to trust any one again following her traumatic experience than the amount of money she lost.

"Yung pera kaya mong kitain, kaya mong makabangon from that in a certain period of time. Pero yung trauma, yung halos mawalan ka ng confidence sa sarili mo at saka yung tiwala sa mismong sarili mo, 'yon, 'yon ang pinakamasakit," she said.

The suspect, in an interview with GMA Integrated News, denied that he owns the illegal drugs found among his belongings.

On the accusation that he made women fall in love with him, convinced them to make investments, and leaving them afterwards, the suspect replied, "No comment."

Vergara faces a charge of estafa and possession of prohibited drugs. — BAP, GMA Integrated News