Identity theft is surprisingly easy. Even a teenager can do it.
A female college student has been arrested by members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) after alternately posing as actress Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan and her children to ask for money from relatives and friends, Inquirer reports.
Sounds like the 19-year-old suspect planned her devious scheme from way, way back.
According to the investigations, she created fake Facebook accounts four years ago using the names and pictures of the actress and her children. She even made it appear like the children were conversing with their mother online.
Using the fake accounts, she asked for money from friends and relatives of the Pangilinans for a supposed outreach program in the Cordillera Region.
Maricel posted a warning about the incident on her verified page on June 5.
“She did many things—asking for ‘pasa (cell phone) load,’ for donations—(while) developing friendships and relationships. One person even approached us claiming he was the online boyfriend of one of our daughters,” said Anthony Pangilinan, Maricel’s husband.
Many of their friends and relatives were fooled into giving money. They children have gotten into quarels and have lost friends because of the suspect’s actions.
The Pangilinans tried to confront the imposter but their Facebook accounts were blocked.
An entrapment operation was set-up after a godmother of one of the Pangilinan children called Maricel, complaining that her “godchild” was asking for additional money.
On Tuesday, the suspect was arrested when she received the PHP4,848 she had solicited online while posing as Laxa’s son.
She said that she did it because she idolized the family.
The Pangilinans have yet to find out how much she was able to solicit through the years.
The suspect faces charges for identity theft, swindling and child exploitation.
