NBI arrests woman who duped victims of P1.5M

MANILA, Philippines — A woman has been arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for allegedly duping 11 job applicants of more than P1.5 million as placement fees for non-existent jobs in Canada.

NBI officials identified the suspect as Nancy Leono, owner/ manager of Lacorte Kimpura Travel Agency in Makati, and resident of 1515 Sto. Sepulcro St., PNR Mansion in Paco, Manila.

Leono was arrested in her house during an entrapment conducted by agents of NBI Anti-Human Trafficking Division (Ahtrad) last Wednesday afternoon, said a report by Senior Agent Jose Theron Valencia.

Valencia said Leono has been charged with fraud and violation of Republic Act 8042, or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995.

Also charged was Melba Lamug, marketing staff of the travel agency, and resident of Unit 20, 1815 Laong Laan St. corner Prudencio St., Sampaloc, Manila.

Lamug was able to evade arrest, but she is now the subject of a manhunt.


the arrest ’s report said the victims applied for work in Canada to work as either nurses, caregivers or hotel receptionists.

The NBI obtained an arrest warrant from the court based on complaints filed by Cherizza Medrano, Cherilyn Medrano, Ailyn Ramos and Rizza Rivera of Zamboanga City; Ruzel dela Cruz, Kurt Buebos, Myrna Vergara and Christmas Alzona of Biňan, Laguna; Maria Lilibeth Villanueva and Jennette Amante of Pembo, Makati City; and Armin Basuel of Naic, Cavite.

Valencia’s report said the victims were made to apply for work in Canada either as nurses, caregivers or hotel receptionists.

The two suspects demanded the amount of P1,523,950 for processing fees and placements fees. The payments were made in their office in Makati. However, the victims were never given jobs.

NBI probers a verification made with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) showed that the two suspects were neither authorized nor licensed to recruit workers for overseas employment.

The complainants filed with the NBI a complaint for illegal recruitment against the suspects on March 3. The next day, NBI agents arrested her as she collected an additional amount of P6,600 from each of the victims supposedly as payment for travel tax.

According to the POEA, Filipino workers bound for Canada are not required to pay placement fees. And overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are exempt from paying travel tax if their employment papers are processed by the POEA. - GMANews.TV

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