MANILA — Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested nine individuals — including six Indian nationals — in an entrapment operation in Parañaque City for alleged involvement in carnapping and syndicated estafa linked to an “assume balance” scam.

In a statement, the NBI said the suspects were identified as Filipinos Teotima G. Batutay, Rose L. Torion, and Michael D. Castulo, and Indian nationals Sajjan Sarkar, Sai Charan, Kulvatnh Thati, Gayatri Sarma, Ray Anand, and Nithin Kamepalli.

The operation stemmed from a complaint filed by the vehicle owner who said his car was sold without his consent after he failed to pay its monthly amortizations to PSBank. He had offered the car under a “pasalo” or assume balance arrangement, but the vehicle changed hands multiple times before being mortgaged by the suspects for P120,000.

When the complainant tried to recover the car, suspect Castulo allegedly demanded P450,000 for its return, threatening to dismantle it for parts if the money wasn’t paid. The NBI conducted an entrapment operation on June 24, 2025, at a casino hotel in Parañaque where the demand was reduced to P250,000.

NBI agents arrested all nine suspects and recovered the complainant’s vehicle during the operation. The individuals are allegedly part of a syndicate involved in a fraudulent “assume balance-talon” scheme.

They were presented for inquest proceedings for carnapping and syndicated estafa charges.

NBI Director Jaime B. Santiago (Ret.) lauded the NBI-NCR team for the successful operation and warned the public to be cautious in financial dealings to avoid falling victim to similar scams.