I DON’T know exactly when they arrived in the country. But when they did, they really lived it up.
Not only did they rent two rooms at an upscale condominium in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City, they also leased an expensive flashy car that they flaunted around the metro. They were rolling in so much dough they didn’t even care they left behind P3 million in cash inside another car in a mall basement parking with the window open.
I can only begin to imagine how they spent their nights. Considering how they flaunted their ill-gotten wealth, they must have been babe (assuming they like the opposite sex) magnets. Uhuh. A different one in tow every night, while they painted the town red.
But that was then.
When Romanian nationals Ionut Alessandrou Mitrache, Ion Costel and Stancu Razvan Aurelian look back at their lavish lifestyle, it must seem to be a lifetime away.
And yet, it has only been more than a week since they were initially invited for questioning by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7. Authorities were led to them by the conduction sticker at the back of their rented flashy car, which had been caught on Land Bank of the Philippines’ (LBP) security camera. The invitation led to their arrest when devices used for skimming automated teller machines (ATMs) were allegedly discovered in their possession.
And just like that, the tide turned against the three foreigners.
Oh don’t get me wrong. They’re not going anywhere. Apparently, one of the cases that have been filed against them is non-bailable.
The three men probably didn’t count on being charged with theft in relation with the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. You see, the offense carries the penalty of reclusion perpetua of up to 40 years, which makes it non-bailable. What makes it worse is the offense was committed with the use of skimming devices like microchip scanners and clone cards.
Aside from that, they’ve also been charged with violating Republic Act 8484, or the violation of the Access Devices Regulations Act.
And so they traded their air-conditioned rooms with a cell at the Cebu City Jail. At the onset of summer.
They may even be there right now, crammed with the other 4,000 plus inmates. After all, the NBI 7 has already received their commitment order from the court.
I guess, that rules out deliveries from Starbucks.
Had they done their homework, they wouldn’t be in this predicament. I mean, who’d be stupid enough to fleece government workers, including 50 law enforcers and a retired judge?
That’s why I believe the three Romanians are better off inside. And I think they realized this, too. Because outside, they’d be easy targets.
They’re just lucky some of the government workers who were victimized by their alleged ATM skimming scheme have gotten their money back.
The LBP started giving out refunds to 41 depositors, including retired Judge Meinrado Paredes.