[WARNING] NBI warns public vs new modus 'want text2SAWA'

News affecting OFW's

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) warned Saturday the public against a new modus operandi - Want to "Text2Sawa" (send unlimited number of text messages)?.

Head Agent Roland Argabioso, chief of the NBI–Field Operations Division (FOD), said the bureau uncovered that such “cellcard” did not provide unlimited text sending capacity for 30 days.

This developed as Argabioso recommended the filing of a case in violation of R.A. 8484 ( Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998) against Mark Lyndonn Marquez, 24, of 1426-C Newton St., San Isidro, Makati City and Virgilio Cruz, 43, of Lot 9 Block 1 Phase 3, Greenheights, Marikina City.Marquez and Cruz were apprehended following a complaint lodged by Pablito Aleman, 50, of 413 P.D. Marso St., Pasay City.

Aleman complained that recently Cruz enticed them to buy Text2Sawa cellcards for P150.Cruz allegedly told Aleman that by availing of the cellcards, the user can have unlimited text messaging for 30 days supposedly to all cellular networks.But, despite following the instructions at the back of the card, the complainant noticed that the unlimited text did not work.

This made Aleman seek the help of the NBI-FOD and found out from the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) that such cellcards are not authorized by the commission.Also, the NBI learned that Smart Communications Inc., Globe Telecoms., and Sun Cellular, have already issued statements that Text2Sawa is not authorized by their respective companies.

The NBI-FOD then set-up an entrapment operation against the suspects and entered into a deal, involving the purchase of 90 Text2Sawa cellecards for P110 each.A poseur-buyer met with the suspects at a fastfood store on Aurora Boulevard, Cubao, Quezon City.Cruz even reportedly offered during their negotiations that he could even lower the price of the cards to P105 if the said poseur-buyers were willing to purchase 500 pieces of the cards.

The entrapment resulted in the arrest of the suspects shortly after the suspects handed over the cards, while the agents gave the payment.As soon as the suspects accepted the marked money, the NBI agents arrested them.

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