New car theft modus targets teachers

A suspect was arrested in Clark Field, Pampanga for engaging in a new car theft modus that steals a brand new car using a loan application of a teacher.

In Emil Sumangil’s exclusive report on 24 Oras on Wednesday, the suspect was caught by the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP HPG) Region 3.

The suspect is facing estafa complaints.

According to HPG, the suspect is involved in the "labas-casa technical carnapping scheme," a type of syndicate that steals brand new cars from casa or car dealership and service center through car loan applications using the requirements that will be submitted by other people.

The suspect said he is not the mastermind of the syndicate since he is only a recruiter who convinces people, particularly teachers, to avail of car loans.

He added that he would get P5,000 to P7,000 whenever he was able to recruit. When the car loan is approved and the car is available for release in casa, the financier will give the downpayment to the casa while the teacher will be paid P40,000 per unit.

Once the car is released, the financier will steal it and immediately sell it in other places with a fake LTO Official Receipt or Certificate of Registration.

According to P/Colonel Neil Francia of PNP-HPG, about 300 stolen cars were sold in the Luzon area such as in Bicol, Region 3, Baguio, and even in Visayas and Mindanao.

Since the lost vehicle is under the teacher's name, the bank will file charges against them.

The suspect said teachers were targeted because they are government employees and they have an ID and Professional Regulation Commission ID so they were always approved by the bank.

The suspect added that he is willing to testify to find out the truth behind the carnapping scheme, which has an estimated 300 victims.

“Lalaban ako, dahil wala akong kasalanan na ginawa. Ako’y agent lang, at ako’y biktima lang,” the suspect said.

(I will fight, because I have not committed any sin. I am only an agent, and I am only a victim.)

The PNP-HPG is also investigating other people possibly involved in the syndicate, including the sales agents of car dealerships as well as those who approve car loans from banks.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News