A man accused of pretending to be a police officer was arrested by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Parañaque City for allegedly extorting money from a Malaysian businesswoman.
The CIDG said the suspect, identified only as “Mark,” 41 years old, was arrested at around 4 pm on June 3, 2026 during an entrapment operation in Barangay Tambo.
Authorities said the suspect allegedly posed as a “police captain” and demanded P600,000 from the victim in exchange for supposedly stopping the filing of a money laundering case against her.
The suspect was caught after receiving the marked money from a CIDG operative who acted as a delivery rider.
According to a report received by CIDG Director Police Maj. Gen. Robert AA Morico II, the incident was not the first time the victim was targeted.
In May 2025, a man claiming to be a police senior master sergeant assigned to the Southern Police District (SPD) allegedly contacted the Malaysian national and told her she was under investigation for money laundering.
The suspect allegedly demanded P500,000 in exchange for not filing the case and not reporting her to the Bureau of Immigration. Fearing for her safety and possible deportation, the victim gave the money to a certain “Claro,” who was introduced as an SPD investigator, through a delivery rider.
On May 30, 2026, the group allegedly made another demand, this time asking for P600,000 using the same scheme. The suspect also allegedly sent the victim a photo of a letter bearing a PNP heading and the name of a police captain.
The money was supposed to be delivered from the victim’s office in Makati to an open parking lot in Aseana City, Parañaque.
After realizing that she was being extorted, the victim sought help from the CIDG Southern Metro Manila District Field Unit on June 1, leading to the entrapment operation two days later.
Investigators later found that the suspect was a suspended employee of the victim.
The suspect is facing complaints for robbery/extortion and usurpation of authority or official functions under the Revised Penal Code, in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Morico commended the CIDG National Capital Region Regional Field Unit and the Southern Metro Manila District Field Unit for the swift operation.
He also warned individuals and groups using the name, badge, or rank of the PNP to threaten or extort money from the public.
“Do not test our resolve. If you think you can hide behind fake ranks, forged documents, and digital aliases to extort money from legitimate businesses, you are sorely mistaken,” Morico said.
The CIDG reminded the public that police investigations, case filings, and official PNP services are free of charge. It urged the public not to pay anyone demanding “processing fees” or “settlement costs” and to transact only with verified police personnel inside official stations.