A resort owner and former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) for three decades lost around Php8 million from a “Budol-budol” gang in Bataan.
According to the victim, identified as Leonardo Austria from Balanga, Bataan, the suspects began contacting him upon seeing a Facebook post of his child looking for individuals to rent in their apartment and another property in Bagac, reported GMA.
The post included Austria’s address and contact details.
The suspects called the number and said they are interested in the property, while convincing Austria to become a middleman in a chemical preservative business.
“Itong isang maliit na box na ‘to ay worth P24,000. Kapag nakuha ka bilang middle man, finder’s fee na tinatawag, may P1,000 ka in every small box, ang P1,000 sa iyo, ang P24,000 ay sa importer mo,” Austria said.
Austria later on gave Antonio Laugan, who goes by the alias “Manny”, Php1 million. Upon payment, 250 cans of the chemical preservative arrived at Austria’s home.
The cans, however, only contained ‘gawgaw.’
The suspects, Laugan and Jonathan Asuncion, were caught in two separate police operations in Laguna and Caloocan City, respectively.
Laugan has denied the allegations against him.
Authorities are still on the hunt for five others involved in the scam.
