National Bureau of Investigation 7 arrested Cruzaldo Fernandez Bastida during an entrapment operation at a shopping mall in Mandaue City on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, for an alleged P5.3-million diesel fuel scam.
Complainant Ruel De Veyra told investigators he paid P5.3 million in cash on July 26 for 100,000 liters of diesel at P53 per liter, but the delivery never took place.
Bastida faces charges of estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code and violation of Section 2(a) of Batas Pambansa 33, while another suspect remains at large.
THE arrest of a contractor in an alleged P5.3-million diesel fuel scam has drawn attention to a scheme that investigators said targeted a businessman looking to buy fuel at a discounted price.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 arrested Cruzaldo Fernandez Bastida during an entrapment operation at a shopping mall in Mandaue City on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, after a businessman accused him of accepting millions of pesos for diesel fuel that was never delivered. Another suspect remains at large.
The case has also prompted the NBI 7 to remind businesses and the public to verify fuel suppliers before making large payments, especially as higher fuel prices continue to create opportunities for fraudulent transactions.
How the transaction began
According to the NBI 7, businessman Ruel De Veyra and Cruzaldo Fernandez Bastida learned of each other through referrals from fellow contractors.
Investigators said De Veyra agreed to purchase 100,000 liters of diesel after Bastida and another man allegedly claimed they could supply the fuel through Eight Eleven Heavy Equipment Parts Supply.
The suspects also allegedly represented themselves as operators of major businesses and claimed the company had an allocation of diesel fuel from a Shell depot, according to lawyer Wenceslao Galendez, the agent assigned to the case.
The diesel was allegedly offered at P53 per liter. De Veyra told investigators he paid P5.3 million in cash on July 26 as an initial payment for the order.
To verify the company’s legitimacy, the NBI 7 sought to confirm its registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). As of Friday, Aug. 7, the bureau had yet to receive the SEC’s response.
Repeated demands for payment
The promised delivery did not take place after the suspects allegedly claimed diesel prices had increased, according to the NBI 7.
On July 27, investigators said the suspects asked for an additional P475,000. De Veyra transferred P100,000 through a bank transaction, but the fuel was still not delivered.
“Despite the agreement, the delivery still failed to materialize,” Galendez said on Friday.
On July 30, the suspects allegedly demanded the remaining payment. Instead of sending more money, De Veyra sought assistance from the NBI 7, which opened an investigation.
Investigators learned that repeated requests for additional payments despite the absence of any fuel delivery became part of the scheme uncovered during the investigation.
Entrapment and criminal charges
The investigation led to an agreement for Bastida to receive another P400,000 from the complainant on Aug. 3.
The NBI 7 conducted an entrapment operation after De Veyra met Bastida at a coffee shop inside a shopping mall along A.S. Fortuna St. in Mandaue City. Agents arrested the suspect after the marked money was handed over.
Bastida is facing charges of estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code and violation of Section 2(a) of Batas Pambansa 33, as amended, or the law prohibiting illegal trading in petroleum products.
Due diligence before closing deals
The NBI 7 said the case serves as a reminder for businesses to verify suppliers before entering large transactions.
It also urged buyers to confirm a company’s legitimacy, carefully review agreements and be cautious of demands for substantial advance payments, particularly when delivery schedules continue to change.
The bureau also encouraged the public to report suspected fuel-related fraud. Investigators said they are monitoring another case involving a similar alleged scheme in a different area. / ANV
