NBI: Siblings nabbed in Makati over fake notary services

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested two siblings who allegedly used the names of lawyers to conduct “falsified” notarial services in Makati City.

In an interview on Wednesday, NBI spokesperson Palmer Mallari said the suspects, a 20-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man from Taguig City, had been operating the fake notarial service at a makeshift tent along Kamagong Extension in Barangay San Antonio, Makati City.

“This is a small place. There is a sign that says “notary public.” But for notarizing an affidavit of loss, they charge only P100. Aside from this, they found that those notarizing and signing the documents do not appear to be lawyers,” Mallari said.

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He said the supposed fake notarial service had been operating for more than a year, using different lawyers’ names every day.

“For example, on this day, we will use this name. On other days, we will use a different name,” he added.

The entrapment operation followed a complaint filed by a legitimate lawyer who holds a notarial commission in the City of Manila. She reported to the NBI’s Organized and Transnational Crimes Division that the individuals were allegedly using her name to provide notarial services in Makati.

The Makati Regional Trial Court also referred a complaint regarding the supposed discovery of notaries being used without the authority of the actual notary public to notarize documents.

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“So there are two complainants here, two lawyers,” the NBI spokesperson said.

NBI agents conducted the entrapment operation on Tuesday, September 15, after verifying the information through surveillance in the area.

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During the operation, NBI agents posed as customers, and the siblings welcomed them and seemingly notarized the documents.

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The suspects are currently in NBI custody and face charges for alleged violations of the Revised Penal Code, including falsification of private documents, use of falsified documents, possession of instruments or implements for falsification, usurpation of authority or official functions, and estafa by means of deceit.

Following their arrests, Mallari said the NBI is also conducting surveillance in other areas in Metro Manila where the same modus operandi could be operating.

The NBI official advised the public to have their documents notarized by a legitimate notary public who maintains an office.

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“When the notary office is only on the sidewalk, that’s a red flag. Don’t patronize that because, first of all, it’s forbidden,” Mallari said. /mcm