April 24, 2012

        The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested a call center agent who misrepresented herself as a Fil-Norwegian model in the social network Facebook to lure an Australian national into an on-line relationship for financial reasons in Cavite last week.

       The suspect was identified by NBI Officer-In-Charge Atty. Nonnatus Caesar R. Rojas as:

    LOUELLA DE GUZMAN TAN, 29, of B4 Lot 17 Bgy. St. Peter, Dasmariñas, Cavite.

       Investigation report of the Technical Investigation Division - Intelligence Services under Deputy Director Ruel M. Lasala, disclosed that Louella Tan befriended Hans Mathieu Patrick de Kraker, an Australian national thru the Facebook account in the name "Jen Matheson" using the photos of Janka Cederstam, a Filipino-Norwegian model. She enticed him into having a supposed on-line relationship and succeeded in making him send money to the Philippines via Western Union received by a certain Louella Tan, supposedly "Jen Matheson's" representative.

        However, Hans discovered the scam through a friend who recognized the pictures to be that of the complainant, Janka. On March 21, 2012, Hans contacted Janka during which she told him that she does not know Hans and that she does not have a Facebook account in the name Jen Matheson, nor authorized anyone to use her name and photographs.

        Consequently, Janka searched for the name Jen Martheson and saw dozens of her pictures saved in the Photos folder including that of her family. Thus, an NBI investigative assistance was sought.

      Tan using the name "Matheson" constantly asked Hans to send more money supposedly for her daily subsistence claiming her parents have died in accidents and other personal misfortunes. Despite Tan's abuses, Hans played along and on April 19, 2012, sent money again. A sting operation was set up. At 3:30 pm, Tan arrived and claimed the money. NBI operatives who were posted nearby immediately arrested Tan and brought to the NBI for questioning.

       Charges for violation of RA 8972 Section 33a (Electronic Commerce Act of the Philippines), Art. 315 of the Revised Penal Code (Estafa), Commonwealth Act 142 as amended by RA 6085 (Anti-Alias L aw) and Art. 178 of the RPC (Using Fictitious Name and Concealing True Name) were filed against the suspect before the Imus, Cavite Prosecutor's Office.