A 34-year-old woman was arrested in Davao City for allegedly pretending to be a Pag-IBIG Fund agent and collecting money from a buyer in a housing scam worth P1 million, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said.
The suspect, identified by authorities only as alias “Lyza,” single and a resident of Bangkal, Talomo, Davao City, was arrested at around 1:57 pm on July 7 inside the Pag-IBIG Fund Office at Pryce Tower along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Bajada.
Authorities said the suspect was caught while allegedly processing documents for a Pag-IBIG housing application and related transactions, as well as receiving money demanded from the complainant.
Police said the suspect had no license, authority, or official affiliation with Pag-IBIG Fund.
According to the CIDG, the suspect allegedly introduced herself to the complainant in April 2026 as a legitimate Pag-IBIG Fund agent and offered several Pag-IBIG acquired properties, also known as Real and Other Properties Acquired or ROPA.
The suspect allegedly claimed she could facilitate and fast-track the processing and approval of the transactions. She also allegedly told the complainant that she had legally acquired the properties after paying the owners in full.
Believing the suspect’s claims, the complainant paid a total of P1,000,000 for 16 housing units at Deca Homes in Talomo, one unit at Emily Homes in Cabantian, and one unit at Portville Subdivision in Panacan.
On July 3, the complainant went to the Pag-IBIG Fund Office in Davao City to check the status of the housing units and verify the documents provided by the suspect.
Pag-IBIG Fund later found that the documents were spurious and not officially issued by the agency. It also confirmed that the suspect was not its employee or authorized agent.
Despite receiving the P1 million payment, the suspect allegedly demanded an additional P120,000 from the complainant, prompting the victim to seek assistance from the CIDG.
The suspect will face complaints for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 9485, or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007; Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code, or usurpation of authority or official functions; and Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code, or estafa.
The CIDG said the operation prevented further alleged fraudulent transactions and will continue pursuing individuals who exploit others for personal gain.
The operation was carried out by personnel of the CIDG Davao City Field Unit, together with representatives of Pag-IBIG Fund Davao City.