A Filipino woman who was heading to Dubai was duped by a swindler who withheld her passport in Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Manila, Philippines.
On September 23, the Filipina met with the suspect identified as Joseph Pascasio, who asked for the Filipina’s passport and PHP500 (US$9) in cash. Pascasio then told the Filpina that someone from a travel agency would assist her, Khaleej Times reported.
Later, the Filipina contacted Pascasio, who told her to deposit PHP3,000 (US$55) through a money remittance center so she could retrieve her passport. However, as she was unable to deposit the money, she ended up missing her flight to Dubai.
The Filipina then reported the incident to the Airport Police Department, who arrested Pascasio on September 25. According to the police, Pascasio is a notorious swindler who has already been jailed several times for victimizing passengers at the airport.
The police recovered the Filipina’s passport and found illegal drugs including methamphetamine in Pascasio’s bag. Pascasio will be charged with theft, drug possession and illegal seizure.