Woman Arrested Over ‘Online Paluwagan’ Scam that Preyed on OFWs

An alleged scammer who used the internet to dupe some P17 million from her victims was arrested Thursday in Parañaque City, according to a report on “24 Oras.”

In his report, GMA News’ Emil Sumangil said Jay-Ann Lozada was arrested in Merville after police received complaints from her victims who are mostly overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Based on the complaints, Lozada was the alleged founder of “Anne Diyosa Love Online Paluwagan” who uses Facebook to lure in investors.

“Alam ko malaki ang kikitain. Yung kapital namin, halos mado-doble siya,” said Jessa Hernandez, a complainant, in the report.

At first, the victims were able to earn from their investments, the report said.

“Nag-try ako ng P20,000. Yung P20,000 in three days naging P28,000, so okay. Hanggang sa hindi ko na siya nilalabas. Every pay out ko niro-rolling rolling ko lang, instead dinadagdagan ko pa,” said another complainant identified only as Abby.

However, after several months, Lozada suddenly declared bankruptcy.

“Malaking pagsisisi,” said Joy, another complainant. “Siyempre nagtiwala ka dun sa taong akala mo okay.”

The report said OFWs who were victimized by Lozada have written to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group expressing their intention to file a complaint against the suspect.

“Nakakapanghinayang po,” said Rudolph, whose mother was among Lozada’s supposed victims. “Kasi pinaghirapan mo ng nanay ko ‘yun tapos bigla niyang sasabihin na wala nang babalik kahit piso.

A complaint of large-scale estafa has been filed against Lozada, who denied running away with her investors’ money.

“Sobrang bumagsak,” she said, referring to her company’s financial structure. “Kasi yung interes na kinakain ng pay out, sobrang laki.” —KBK, GMA News

(Source: GMAnetwork.com)