Casino scam suspect nabbed after 3 years in hiding

After three years in hiding, authorities finally arrested a suspect involved in a “casino financing scheme” which duped as much as P40 million from victims.

Identified as a certain Cora Gaviola Catalino, the suspect was reported to have scammed investors by befriending them and luring them into the financing scheme.

“Iimbitahin ka rin sa mga magarbong party para malaman mo na ito pwedeng pagkatiwalaan,” Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Chief Police General Albert Terro said in John Consulta's report on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.

“’Yung una pa lang niyang pakilala, magpapa-raffle siya o magpapa-ano ng cellphone, ng mga high-end na cellphone at kung ano anong gamit para lang talagang ma-engganyo ka, so ganon ang kaniyang scheme.”

(She would invite investors to extravagant parties to make an impression. Upon her initial introduction, she would then raffle out cellphones and other items to lure investors into her scheme.)

Gaviola reportedly duped P40 million from an estimated 30 victims, who are now seeking justice and to have their investments returned.

The suspect, also wanted for estafa and large-scale illegal recruitment, declined to comment. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA News