Transport Scam Unveiled: Fraudster Arrested for Defrauding Transport Operators

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In an elaborate scam, a man has been arrested for allegedly defrauding a transport network vehicle service (TNVS) operator and drivers of millions of pesos. Claimed to have connections within a transport network company (TNC), he promised to activate drivers' network accounts for a fee. The arrest, part of an entrapment operation, took place in Barangay Cembo, Taguig City, spotlighting a larger issue of fraud within the transport sector.

The suspect, identified only as "Khart", was apprehended after Quezon City-based TNVS operator Wilfredo Sicio reported him. Sicio explained that Khart presented himself as a TNC affiliate in late 2024, convincing approximately 100 drivers to pay P15,000 each to activate their accounts. However, by January, these accounts were mysteriously deactivated.

Sicio expressed frustration over Khart’s evasive tactics. "He left us in a lurch, arranging meetings that never materialised," he stated. To reactivate their accounts, drivers were later solicited additional fees of P35,000, further enhancing the deceit.

Caught in the scam's web, Sicio's group collectively lost P1.7 million. Fernan Delos Reyes, a TNVS driver, was instrumental in the sting operation. Pretending to pay more fees, Delos Reyes set the stage for Khart’s capture by authorities.

Compounding the complexity, Khart implicated an alleged accomplice within the TNC. He claimed the bulk of the activation fees were funnelled to this individual, with Khart receiving P2,000 per transaction as commission. For now, the identity of this alleged insider remains confidential, as ongoing investigations aim to unmask the internal fraudsters.

Lt. Nadame Malang, PNP Highway Patrol Group spokesperson, confirmed the investigation’s scope, detailing that 13 complainants were preparing legal action against Khart, with 15 more potential victims being engaged. "Large-scale estafa charges are being pursued," Malang emphasized, urging additional victims to step forward.

As authorities coordinate with the TNC and regulatory bodies like the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, the episode uncovers the vulnerabilities in trust-based networks. This incident serves as a cautionary tale and a call to arms for tighter security and verification protocols within the transport industry.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Inquirer 2025-06-11