2 individuals in Tabuk scammed with P.3M; suspect arrested

Tabuk City, Kalinga – 2 individuals from Tabuk City reported to the police that they were swindled losing P317,000 to a certain Kevin Dale Mergas, 27, seafarer, and resident of Tibag, Tarlac who offered high-interest returns for online business investment.

Mergas, according to the complainants, is having his vacation in Tabuk City.

The two residents who asked not to be named claimed that Mergas lured them to enter into his online business promising over 50 per cent interest or even double. But after some time, the two complainants sensed something wasn’t right and asked for their money back but Mergas just promised to pay them along with the interest.

The complainants said they felt Mergas was planning to escape, hence they hid his car key and other documents and later reported to the police.

Arresting Mergas

The police, upon receiving and verifying the complaint, arrested the suspect and brought him to the Tabuk City Police Station where a case of estafa was filed against him.

It was later discovered that Mergas was previously involved in other online scams. Additionally, the vehicle Mergas used to come to Kalinga was found to be from a car for rent agency.

The police then coordinated with the vehicle’s owner where he was put into blotter at the Valenzuela Police Station for carnapping.

Warning to the public against online investment scam

With what happened, Tabuk City police has warned the public to be extra discerning on investing on ‘high-interest rate return’ online business.

Tabuk City police chief, Police Lieutenant Colonel Dinulong Tombali tells the public to be aware of this high rate return scheme and check the credibility of the business they were being convinced to invest in.

“Reminders to those who are considering to venture to business, beware idiay high rate of interest, you might be finding yourself in a scam. Ket of course, check it out nu adda man iti kastoy, check the credibility as well as kung ano ‘yung legality nung business na ‘yon,” he said.

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