TACLOBAN CITY— A security guard was arrested after allegedly defrauding two students of P75,000 in separate GCash transactions in Barangay Lemon, Capoocan, Leyte on May 7.
Police identified the victims as an 18-year-old first-year college student and a 16-year-old Grade 12 student, both residents of the barangay.
The suspect, known as alias “Mau,” 41, a security guard from Sitio Apnican, Barangay Tag-Abaca, Leyte, Leyte, reportedly went to the victims’ store to conduct GCash cash-in transactions amounting to P75,000. However, after the transfers were completed, he allegedly failed to hand over the corresponding cash and fled on a motorcycle.
One of the victims tried to stop the suspect, but he managed to escape toward Barangay San Joaquin in the same town.
Authorities later arrested the suspect, who was brought to the Capoocan Municipal Police Station. Charges are being prepared against him.
The incident comes amid continued warnings from authorities and GCash about the rising number of digital payment scams in the country. GCash has recently intensified efforts against fraudulent transactions and fake payment schemes targeting users nationwide.
Victims of similar scams are advised to immediately report incidents to the Philippine National Police or the National Bureau of Investigation and coordinate with GCash support for account tracing and investigation.
(LANCE GABRIEL G. ENTERESO)
