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Helper nabbed for allegedly stealing P5M in valuables from Chinese employer
A 30-year old household helper was arrested in Cainta, Rizal, after she allegedly stole over P5 million worth of valuables, including two vehicles, from her Chinese employer.
According to an exclusive report by Katrina Son on 24 Oras Tuesday, authorities revealed the suspect has a history of similar crimes and has victimized both Chinese and Filipino employers.
The employer, alias Aileen, hired the suspect on February 12. She said the helper initially appeared diligent and trustworthy.
However, on February 14, Aileen returned home to find her house in disarray—her vault, two cars, and even her two pet cats were missing.
"The house looked very messy because she was in a hurry to grab the items and leave. I felt terrible because she had only been in my house for a day. How could she have done all of this alone? She is a professional scammer," Aileen said.
The victim’s secretary, alias Nikki, suspected the helper deliberately gained their trust before the burglary.
(It seemed she studied us first, she is very articulate and claimed to have extensive experience.)
Authorities estimated the stolen items' value at P5 million. Following a 10-day manhunt, police tracked down the suspect at her partner’s house inside a subdivision in Cainta, Rizal.
The suspect did not resist during her arrest.
Police investigation revealed the suspect's modus operandi involved applying for domestic work, gaining the employer's trust and then stealing from them.
“Sa katunayan nga po meron na po siyang warrant of arrest. Marami na po siyang biktima marami pong pumupunta dito at saka tinuro siya. Itong dahilan sa kanya ay kailangan talaga nya yung pera kase nga mahilig siya mahilig siya sa sugal,” said Police Colonel Marlon Guimno, Regional Chief, National Capital Region - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Regional Force Units.
(She already had an outstanding warrant of arrest. Many victims have come forward and identified her. She admitted to committing these crimes because of her gambling addiction.)
The suspect primarily targets Chinese employers since she could speak Mandarin. However, several Filipinos also fell victim to her scam.
One victim recounted how the suspect pretended to be a potential housemaid for her mother.
“So I’m looking for a kasambahay para sa mama ko sana and then may nag message sa akin interesado siya, nag-inquire, kaya lang sa Cagayan daw sya malayop so wala daw siyang pamasahe. And then after ko ma-send yun nakita ko na lang sa ano hindi ko na siya matawagan,” said another victim.
(She sent me a message, saying she was interested in the job but she was in Cagayan and had no travel fare. After I sent her money, she disappeared and became unreachable.)
In other cases, the suspect allegedly posed as a real estate agent, soliciting money for document processing before vanishing.
Authorities reported that the suspect used various aliases and fake IDs. So far her total haul from her crimes is estimated to exceed P20 million.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are also urging other potential victims to come forward. — Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News
