Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Mina F. Pangandaman has issued a stern warning against fraudulent schemes perpetrated by individuals posing as DBM officials or personnel.
This was after operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested eight individuals who were pretending to be officials or connected to the DBM.
The NBI agents arrested the said bogus individuals on March 26, 2024 in an entrapment operation in the city of Mandaluyong.
"Mariin po nating kinokondena ang ganitong klaseng gawain. Kapag may mga ganitong klase ng tao na lumapit sa inyo at sasabihing kaya nilang magpalabas ng pondo mula sa DBM, i-report po ninyo kaagad sa kinauukulan”, Sec. Mina said.
Earlier, the NBI discovered that one of the suspects posed as an Undersecretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) while interacting with victims. The suspect claimed to oversee special projects within the agency.
In their fraudulent scheme, the suspects enticed the complainant by promising P1.3 billion worth of projects if they agreed to the proposed deal.
However, the vigilant complainant promptly conducted an initial verification at the DBM. To their surprise, they found that the agency had no record of an officer by that name, and the project mentioned by the suspects did not exist in the agency’s official records. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, the DBM swiftly collaborated with the NBI to set up an entrapment operation.
The suspects were apprehended at a restaurant in Mandaluyong City after accepting marked money amounting to P500,000.00 from the NBI
"Hinihikayat ko po ang taumbayan na agad maging mapanuri. Ayaw po natin ng ganitong masamang gawain. May this serve as a serious warning to criminals," Sec. Mina said.
Meanwhile, in a recent interview on the Usapang Budget Natin program, Atty. Jerome Bomediano, Chief of the NBI Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division, revealed that the eight individuals who masqueraded as DBM officials will be charged with estafa under Revised Penal Code 135 and Usurpation of Authority under Revised Penal Code 177.
Furthermore, Atty. Bomediano urged the public to promptly report any encounters with such groups or individuals who falsely claim high positions within the government.
Reports or complaints may be lodged via the DBM public assistance office email address— [email protected], its hotline 8657-3300 local 2524, and via the Usapang Budget Natin's facebook page. Meanwhile, the public may also directly report similar concerns to the NBI via their trunkline, (02) 8523-8231 to 38.
