Cheyenne Suarez

Suspect in fraud of millions from aspiring TNVS drivers arrested

HPG traffic cops man the traffic along EDSA from the Guadalupe bridge southbound

Article (news)

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA <strong>(UPDATED) </strong>— The Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) has arrested an individual for allegedly defrauding millions of pesos from people applying to be drivers for a transport network vehicle service (TNVS) company, an official said Wednesday.</p><p>Police Lt. Nadame Malang, spokesperson of the PNP-HPG, said the male suspect was arrested in an entrapment operation in Taguig City on Monday after he demanded an additional P35,000 from one of his victims, saying it was for reactivation as a driver.</p><p>Malang said the suspect would introduce himself as an agent of Grab Philippines and would offer a provisionary permit to allow drivers to operate under a temporary franchise.</p><p>“Pero makalipas ang 1 week to 2 weeks, biglaang made-deactivate,” he said.</p><p>(But after one to two weeks, it would suddenly be deactivated.)</p><p>The PNP-HPG has so far received around 28 complaints against the suspect, who is said to have collected between P1.5 million to P2.3 million from victims.</p><p>“Napakadami at talamak na kasi sa ngayon,” said Malang. “Hindi ito biro.”</p><p>(There are so many cases now, and it’s widespreadd. This is no joke.)</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/10/tv-patrol-panghoholdap-sa-tnvs-driver-sa-tondo-maynila-napurnada-2048">TV PATROL: Panghoholdap sa TNVS driver sa Tondo, Maynila napurnada</a><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>POLICE COORDINATION<br/></strong></div><p>The PNP-HPG is now coordinating with the TNVS company to see if the suspect had accomplices inside the firm.</p><p>“Sa pagkakaalam natin, walang bayad… para makapag-apply ‘yong ating mga kababayan. So, isa ‘yan sa palaisipan din ng HPG,” said Malang.</p><p>(To our knowledge, there are no fees to apply. So that’s one of the questions we’re looking into.)</p><p>He added authorities are looking for the suspect&#x27;s accomplices and a supposed backer in the scam. </p><p>&quot;A larger group may be behind this scheme,&quot; he said, pointing out that it is not easy to infiltrate the system of a large TNVS company.</p><p>Police are also coordinating with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to halt the fraudulent operations.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/5/21/group-urges-motorcycle-twg-to-carefully-review-fleet-cut-vs-ride-hailing-app-0025">Group urges motorcycle TWG to carefully review fleet cut vs ride-hailing app<br/></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>GRAB DOES NOT CONDONE</strong></div><p>In a media statement, Grab Philippines said it only accepts and processes TNVS applications submitted directly through its offices and authorized channels.</p><p>It said does not condone any form of misrepresentation or exploitation by individuals who attempt to profit from those who wish to join the TNVS industry.</p><p>“Aspiring TNVS driver-partners are encouraged to visit official Grab offices or verified digital channels to inquire about application procedures, particularly in line with the availability of TNVS slots as determined by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB),” Grab Philippines said.</p><p>The company vowed to cooperate with authorities and said it is &quot;committed to safeguarding the livelihood journey of our current and future driver-partners.&quot;</p><p>It said applicants who believe they have also been victimized by &quot;individuals falsely claiming to represent Grab&quot; can report incidents to its Help Center.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>LARGE-SCALE ESTAFA COMPLAINT</strong></div><p>The victims are preparing to file a large-scale estafa complaint against the suspect.</p><p>“Masakit po kasi diyan po kami aasa sa trabaho na ‘yan eh,” said victim Fernan Delos Reyes. “’Yong iba kong kasama, nahatak na ang sasakyan kakahintay sa pangako niya.”</p><p>(It’s painful because we were relying on that job. Some of my companions even had their cars repossessed while waiting for his promises.)</p><p>Wilfredo Sicio, the group’s liaison, also expressed frustration at the TNVS company for its inaction regarding their complaints.</p><p>“Marami pinagawa sa amin, ‘yong iba pinapunta pa doon, ganito ‘yong gagawin tapos wala rin palang mangyayari hanggang sa totally hindi na nakikipag-usap,” said Sicio.</p><p>(They made us do so many things, even asked some of us to go there and follow instructions, but in the end, nothing happened. Now they won’t even communicate with us.)</p><p>The suspect, however, claims he is also a victim.</p><p>“’Yong pinakapinagpapasahan ko po, sila po talaga ‘yong may koneksyon doon. Nagpapasa lang po ako ng papel sa kanila,” he said.</p><p>(The people I pass the documents to—they’re the ones who have the real connection. I only hand over the papers to them.)</p>

<p>The PNP Highway Patrol Group has so far received around 28 complaints against the suspect, who is said to have collected between P1.5 million to P2.3 million from victims.</p>

The PNP Highway Patrol Group has so far received around 28 complaints against the suspect, who is said to have collected between P1.5 million to P2.3 million from victims.