A 41-year-old man, who served 16 years in prison for murder, was arrested again on Monday evening for allegedly conducting an e-wallet modus in Barangay Kamagayan, Cebu City. The suspect, identified only as alias Atan, is unemployed and a resident of Barangay Guizo, Mandaue City. He was released from prison just last year after more than a decade of incarceration.
Modus Operandi
According to the initial police report, Atan pretended to be a customer at a store in Kamagayan. He asked to cash in P8,500 to an e-wallet account. After the store attendant processed the transaction, Atan suddenly fled without paying. Investigation revealed that the number where the money was sent belonged to a sari-sari store in Mandaue that Atan frequently patronizes. Atan quickly withdrew the amount from that store to obtain the cash.
Arrest and Denial
However, his plan was foiled when the store attendant in Kamagayan immediately sent a text message to the number where the money was sent to verify if it was received. This led to Atan being quickly tracked down and arrested. In an interview, Atan strongly denied the accusation. Despite his denial, he admitted that if he had obtained the money, he would have used it to buy food since he is unemployed. He said he is willing to go back to jail for the estafa charge. "This is just a small amount, Ma'am. It's easy. I'll just let them be," the suspect added.
Alleged Intent and Charges
Police believe that Atan intended to use the money to rent a woman and pay for lodge check-ins in Cebu City. Atan will face charges of estafa.
