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Here’s proof of the latest variation in routines of criminals.
“A female con artist posing as a University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Fine Arts student is now going around schools offering free mural painting and restoration services. However, her real intention is to rob the campuses of cash,” reports Dennis Carcamo on Philstar.com.
According to Eleazardo Kasilag — president of the Federation of Private School Associations and Administrators (Fapsa) — his school fell victim to the scam last week.
Kasilag explained that his school — St. Nicholas School in Concepcion Uno, Marikina — was robbed of PHP26,000 by the woman who identified herself as France Gianne F. De Venecia. De Venecia has been described by witnesses as “in her early 20s”.
The report also said: “Kasilag said he was in South Korea when his daughter, Margot, asked for his approval for the painting proposal and since the service was free, he approved it.”
“Then, after a while, Margot gave me the sad news of thievery. We called UST to inquire about the girl but they denied any affiliation with the said girl,” Kasilag explained.
According to the witnesses, the con artist initially posed as an applicant for a teaching position. However, once she was inside the administration’s office, she discussed the supposed free beautification program of UST. In fact, she presented a fake letter to school officials from UST regarding the program.
The con artist managed to stick around the office for about three hours. Then, unknown to everyone else, when she saw an unattended bag, she opened it and took the cash. The con artist then left the school.
Photo: MorgueFile
