An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) lost Php600,000 after falling in love with a woman on Facebook who turned out to be a scammer.
Seaman Frederick Egea met Joana Mae Cruz on Facebook in June 2017 and immediately fell in love with the woman. During the course of their relationship, Egea has sent up to Php600,000 to Cruz who said she needed the money for her tuition fee and other personal needs, reported Rappler.
When Egea returned to the country on September 5 this year, Cruz had a long list of excuses when the seaman requested for them to meet. Later on Cruz confessed that the photo she was using was that of 20-year old Angelica Calanog and identified her real identity as 21-year-old Angelica Miguel.
Following the admission, Miguel demanded Php26,000 from Egea or “something bad will happen” to Calanog, the real person the OFW fell in love with.
Egea agreed under the condition that he will personally hand the money to Miguel. Once the OFW handed the money to Miguel, she was arrested by undercover cops who accompanied Egea. Six others who allegedly served as Miguel’s accomplices were also arrested.
It was discovered that Miguel was apparently the leader of Calanog’s fan club who was sending flowers and gifts to the latter. Miguel said that the gifts were from a “cousin abroad working as a seaman.”
Miguel will be charged with robbery, swindling/estafa, and identity theft.
NOTE: Photo featured in the article was taken from a Rappler article written by Rambo Talabong.
