The National Bureau of Investigation 11 (NBI 11) arrested on Tuesday two female suspects involved in selling raw lots through an entrapment operation.
NBI 11 director lawyer Archie Albao on Wednesday said that the two suspects were caught inside the compound of a mall along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Bajada, Davao City on Tuesday.
“Nagbebenta ito sila ng property na walang authority from the government, they are not licensed real estate brokers or licensed sales person from the PRC,” Albao said.
Albao added that a marked money amounting to P800,000 was also confiscated from the suspects.
Albao said many property owners have filed complaints against the suspects in his office.
He added the suspects are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9646 and estafa.
The NBI 11 has been warning the public against buying raw lots as it’s often illegal, involving agricultural land sold for residential use without proper permits or licenses, and can lead to scams and legal issues.
It can be recalled that the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) in Davao City warned the public against buying raw lots, as many are sold illegally without proper permits and licenses, potentially leading to financial loss and complex urban development problems.
To combat the prevalence of the scam, the DHSUD is monitoring the online market for raw lots sellers and are implementing proactive measures to apprehend illegal transactions.
Raw lots are most often agricultural lands sold to buyers hoping to build a residential building in the area, only to find out that they are not allowed to do so due to zoning policies.
