Woman loses phone, worries about nude pics
Wilma (real name withheld) became unsettled after her smartphone, marketed as “selfie expert,” was stolen by two men riding on a motorcycle in Barangay Poblacion, Pinamungajan, Cebu last Dec. 30.
The 29-year-old feared that the snatchers might find in the phone her nude pictures and her sex video with her boyfriend, a foreigner.
The culprits contacted Wilma through Facebook Messenger and demanded P5,000 from her in exchange for keeping the files from reaching the social media.
Wilma told the police that she begged for the thieves to spare her and her family from shame.
Last Tuesday afternoon, Wilma reported the theft to the Pinamungajan Police Station, and PO2 Alfredo de Gracia Jr. handled the case.
She told de Gracia that the snatchers were extorting money from her and told her to send it through a pawnshop, which also facilitates money transfer.
The investigator suggested not to pay in full. The police then contacted the branches of the pawnshop in Pinamungajan and Toledo City.
On the same day, Wilma sent P2,000 to Jescel Garupel Cabanes, who was named by the culprits as the claimant of the money.
The management of the pawnshop’s branch in Barangay Don Andres Soriano, Toledo City alerted Pinamugajan Police Station that a woman claimed the money sent by Wilma.
After receiving only P2,000, the snatchers contacted Wilma, telling her she still lacked P3,000.
On the following day, or last Wednesday afternoon, the team led by de Gracia went to the pawnshop in civilian clothes before Wilma sent the remaining amount.
After Cabanes claimed the P3,000, de Gracia and his teammates arrested her. She said that her cohorts are live-in partners Rodney Cañete and Carlo Olimba.
A robbery with extortion complaint was filed against Cabanes, Cañete and Olimba before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office yesterday.
Pinamangujan Police Chief Alfredo Kuhay Jr. said they are still looking for the two men and Wilma’s smartphone.
A robbery with extortion complaint was filed against Cabanes, Cañete and Olimba before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office yesterday.