Siblings Arrested in Makati for Fake Notary Services, NBI Investigates

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested two siblings who allegedly operated falsified notarial services in Makati City, using the names of lawyers. According to NBI spokesperson Palmer Mallari, the suspects, a 20-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man from Taguig City, conducted their business without being registered as notaries public, falsely claiming to be lawyers. The scheme is believed to have involved deceiving citizens who require notarization of official documents, defrauding them of money. The NBI is expanding its investigation, including interviewing involved parties and collecting evidence, as they consider the possibility that this fraudulent activity may be more widespread. Particular urgency is placed on uncovering the detailed methods used, including how they obtained the lawyers' names and produced the forged documents. In the Philippines, only licensed lawyers are legally permitted to provide notarial services. This incident undermines the integrity of legal procedures and poses a significant issue for the protection of citizens' rights. The NBI is urging caution to prevent similar fraudulent activities from recurring. Source: Inquirer NewsInfo