They call it “Package Padala” and it is a new racket by foreigners victimizing gullible Filipino’s via mobile text. The scam is based at the Manila International Airport where the victims are told to come and retrieve a package in exchange for a hefty sum of money.

Manila International Airport Administration (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal identified the victim-to-be as Shirlye Campones who detected the scam early on and was able to coordinate wit airport authorities to catch the suspects.

The suspect was identified as Miriam Kanoute, 34 years old, single, Maly national, with address in Makati City. Kanoute was asking for $11,000 from Campones in exchange for her package.

Campones said she sought the help of the Airport Police last April 12, 2018, after suspecting that the person who was asking her for the money in exchange for a package sent to her from abroad, was a scam. The package was supposedly sent by a man who Campones  met in the internet identified as Fred McNeil.

Campones said that McNeil told her that he was held by customs in an airport in Turkey due to some jewelry found in his baggage.  Campones said that a texter asked for a meet-up on April 12 at a restaurant at the departure level of NAIA Terminal 1 saying that he/she already have the baggage from McNeil.  Campones was advised to bring 11,000 USD in exchange for it.

Thinking that this could be a scam, Campones told the Airport Police that she can give only a partial amount of the USD $11,000.00. Operatives of the Airport Police planned an entrapment operation and accompanied Campones at the meet up place.

They discreetly monitored Campones until a black foreign national, suspected to be the texter, approached Campones.  While eating snacks, Campones handed a white envelope with money to the suspect, as part of their agreement to release the package. At that instance, operatives of the Airport Police approached and arrested the foreigner.

Campones said that Kanoute was the same foreigner she previously met in a mall in Makati. Kanoute was then with another foreigner Ronald Morris. The meet up was also regarding the supposed package for Campones.

Suspect Kanoute was brought to the Pasay Prosecutor’s Office for inquest proceedings for Violation of Article 315 (Syndicated Swindling/Estafa) of the Revised Penal Code and violation of Republic Act 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).

Kanoute is now temporarily detained at the MIAA police headquarters pending issuance of an inquest resolution from Pasay.

MIAA GM Ed Monreal lauded the MIAA-PIID  operatives for their swift action.

“I call on everyone to be careful with their dealings with people they do not know. It pays to be cautious in this regard. We advice the public to seek the help of police authorities in case of doubt,” Monreal said.