Bicol: Hub for car scams HPG warns of fake deals

By JASON B. NEOLA

AUTHORITIES from the Provincial Highway Patrol Team (PHPT) in Camarines Sur have raised alarms over the increasing prevalence of fraudulent car sales and vehicle-related scams in the Bicol Region, which serves as a “dumpsite” for car-napped vehicles from other parts of the country.

Police Lt. Joselito T. Celo, provincial officer of PHPT Camarines Sur, revealed that Bicol has become a hotspot for the resale of stolen or illegally acquired vehicles, often passed off as legitimate through elaborate schemes and falsified documents.

Celo, who previously served as provincial head in Masbate and Catanduanes, and as deputy of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) in Albay, emphasized that criminal syndicates are operating under the radar through various modus operandi that target unsuspecting buyers.

“These are not just random scams. They are part of a broader, organized effort to exploit loopholes and the trust of the public,” he said.

Celo and Police Lt. Pem Silvestre L. Red III, deputy provincial officer of PHPT Camarines Sur, identified three major schemes currently proliferating in the region: rent-tangay, labas-casa, and pasalo.

Medalya ng Kagalingan

Celo and Red were among those awarded the prestigious “Medalya ng Kagalingan” for their commendable performance and gallantry in the line of duty during an anti-carnapping operation in Barangay Mabolo, Naga City.

The operation, which took place on September 24, 2025, led to the successful arrest of Ayyub Islim y Jalalun, a suspect with two standing warrants of arrest. Jalalun was wanted for violations of Republic Act 10883 (New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016), under Criminal Case No. 25-0735 with a recommended bail of P300,000, and Section 5(A) of R.A. 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004), under Criminal Case No. 8444 with a recommended bail of P2,000.

Authorities also recovered a Toyota Vios with an improvised plate number SM620A during the operation.

The commendation cited the officers’ display of professionalism and unwavering commitment to their sworn duties, stating that their actions “earned credit not only for themselves but also for the Philippine National Police.”

The Medalya ng Kagalingan was awarded by command of Police Brigadier General Hansel M. Marantan, director of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG).

Rent-Tangay modus

This scheme involves a syndicate renting vehicles from legitimate rent-a-car companies, primarily in Metro Manila, and bringing the vehicles to Bicol. Using sophisticated technology, they produce fake documents such as license plates, certificates of registration, and official receipts to make the transaction appear legal. The stolen vehicles are then sold for as low as P150,000 to P300,000.

However, Celo noted that incidents of rent-tangay have been minimized in recent months due to the growing use of GPS tracking devices installed in rental cars, enabling law enforcement to recover the vehicles within 2 to 3 days.

Labas-casa scheme

Police Lt. Red explained that in the labas-casa setup, syndicates pose as agents or brokers who offer to facilitate car loans for potential buyers. Once the loan is approved and the car is released by the dealership, the agent vanishes—taking the brand-new vehicle to another region to be sold illegally. The person under whose name the loan was secured is left to deal with the financial and legal consequences.

Pasalo scam

The pasalo modus targets car owners struggling to pay their car loans. Syndicates approach these individuals, offering to assume their loan payments in exchange for custody of the vehicle. The unsuspecting owners, believing they are being helped, sign over the car. But instead of settling the remaining balance with the bank, the syndicate forges documents and sells the vehicle elsewhere—leaving the original owner in deeper debt and the new owner vulnerable to car seizure once authorities trace the unit.

Fake car-napping

Operatives of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) also revealed a deceptive scheme involving casino players who falsely report their vehicles as car-napped after losing them in gambling transactions.

According to HPG officials, the scam typically involves an individual who loses all his money while gambling in a casino. Desperate and penniless, the gambler offers his car as payment to settle debts incurred during the game. However, once the vehicle changes hands, the original owner proceeds to report to police authorities that his car was stolen—commonly referred to as “car-napping”—despite willingly surrendering it.

Police officers, acting on the report, initiate efforts to recover the supposedly stolen vehicle. However, by that time, the new possessor of the car may have already sold it to a third party, complicating recovery efforts.

“This kind of case appears to be a car-napping incident on the surface,” Celo said, “but upon investigation, it doesn’t qualify as one. There was a transaction that occurred, and all the three parties were involved in some form of negotiation.”

Authorities warn that such fraudulent reports not only waste police resources but also create legal complications for unwitting third-party buyers and undermine genuine car-napping investigations.

The HPG urges the public, especially those frequenting casinos, to avoid engaging in illegal and deceptive practices, and reminds vehicle buyers to verify the legitimacy of car ownership before closing any transaction.

The HPG disclosed that all these fraudulent activities have victimized not only ordinary citizens but also members of the police force, the military, clergy, and even educators.

Celo and Red advised the public to remain vigilant and conduct due diligence when purchasing second-hand vehicles.

“Always verify the car’s papers with the HPG before closing any deal,” Celo stressed. “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.”

They reiterated that while these scams do not fall under the legal definition of car-napping, the consequences for victims—both buyers and original owners—can be just as devastating.

For vehicle verification, the public may visit their nearest Highway Patrol Group headquarters.

Other HPG officers who received the ‘Medalya ng Kagitingan’, include: PCOL Dave Antonio Mejia, PCMS Eduardo Violeta Obias Jr., PCMS Wilson Jalmasco Jardin, PMSg Frediemer Fortin Lacson, PCPL Michael Ray Osea Santos, Pat. Franciz Mago De los Angeles and Pat. Cris John Sallan Esplana.