Friday, July 07, 2006
2 Americans duped, pay P9.5M for fake gold bars
By Rhoda Mae Hernandez
POLICE are hunting down two brothers who allegedly duped two American nationals of a huge amount in exchange for nine fake gold bars in Agdao, Davao City, Monday night.
The complainants, identified as James Dugan and Philip Schwab, told the Sta. Ana police that the suspects--Rhoel Salvador and Nestor Bagas, of Bo. Sugbong Valencia in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental--duped them of P9.52 million in exchange for the gold bars that were later found fake.
Police said the victims earlier paid the suspects P1.2 million sent through Western Union and another $160,000 (P8.3 million) as additional payment made at the Linmar Apartelle on Lapu-lapu Street, Davao City at around 9 p.m. on July 3.
After the completion of payment, the nine fake gold bars were delivered to the Marco Polo Davao, where the complainants were staying.
PO3 Jeffrey Grant Bangcas said the negotiation started at the Holiday Inn in Manila.
"That P1.2 million payment was staggered. At first, they demanded P20,000 for mobilization then P90,000 for operational fund and another P30,000 until it reached millions," Bangcas told Sun.Star Davao.
Bangcas said the complainants were told by the suspects they will build a hospital for retired military and Philippine National Police personnel.
"The Americans believe the suspects, since he was a retired US marine soldier and he wanted to help since their business was into financing. That's why when he gave the last payment the suspects showed genuine gold bars and promised to deliver them at Marco Polo. That time, the American have it checked and was convinced that it was genuine. After the delivery, they found out it was fake," Bangcas added.
Recovered from the complainants were nine pieces of lead bars weighing approximately 20 kilos each.
Police are now conducting a thorough investigation to arrest the suspects.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (July 7, 2006 issue)
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