6 nabbed for cheating OFWs, clients in foreign exchange centers

MANILA, Philippines — Six men allegedly involved in "short-changing" overseas Filipino workers and other clients of foreign exchange shops in Ermita district were arrested by police on Thursday.

Sr. Supt. Pablo Francisco Balagtas, chief of the Manila Police District’s Mobile Force (DMF), identified the arrested suspects as 54-year old Billy Akmad and his sons Odan, 22, and Randy, 23, along with Lauro Santiago, 18;Joseph Gomez, 23; and Rogie Unay, 22.

In a report to Balagtas, DMF DMF Intelligence and Investigation Section chief Senior Police Officer 4 Benjamin Abad said the suspects were rounded up from different money changers along Mabini St., corner Sta. Monica St. in Ermita.

Abad said Balagtas ordered the crackdown amid complaints of rampant short-changing in certain foreign exchange centers.

Last August 7, a Filipino-Dutch identified as Jasmin Cruz-Van Schaik complained that she was shortchanged by 180,000 pesos at Len Money Changer along A. Mabini St. in Malate District.

A suspect identified as Anabelle Santos, 38, Len Money Changer teller was arrested during follow-up operation.

After the incident was reported by media, several other OFWs came out in the open and sent letters to the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters to report that they, too, experienced the same fate in several money changers in Manila.

Abad said appropriate charges are now being readied against the suspects. GMANews.TV

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