The National Capital Region Police Office has arrested the man behind the several fake social media accounts of NCRPO director Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. and other prominent individuals.
A composite team from the Regional Special Operations Group – Intelligence Division, Anti-Terrorism Squad-Regional Intelligence Division, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and Olongapo City Forensic Unit arrested Darrel John Green, 36, in Barangay Barreto, Olongapo City, on Nov. 11.
Authorities discovered that aside from the name of Nartatez, Green was also using the identities of various police officials and prominent personalities, including Quezon City Police District director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, and former Pasay City police station commander Froilan Uy to solicit money.
Green, whom the police described as “notorious,” also has a standing warrant of arrest for robbery and three warrants for qualified theft.
“Through the relentless efforts of intelligence and research team, the suspect behind these fraud accounts who tried to solicit monetary amounts from several personalities through social media was successfully identified, tracked and located in Olongapo City which led to his eventual arrest,” said Nartatez in a statement.
Green, who is now detained at the NCRPO headquarters in Taguig City, will be charged with violation of Republic Act 10175 (Identity Theft) and estafa in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Nartatez urged the other victims to come forward and “do not hesitate to coordinate with the NCRPO to file appropriate charges against the suspect.”
“We will continue our aggressive campaign to take down all fraudulent activities along with the fake accounts on social media platforms,” the NCRPO chief said.
“To all persons behind fake accounts and online scamming particularly those personalities who use someone’s identity or any member of the community for personal gains and illegal activities let this be a lesson. The arrest of this suspect serves as a warning, we will run after you,” he added.