Niño Jedeiah Ramos who has been accused of amassing millions of pesos through a massive investment scam in Bohol was arrested by police inside his home in Quezon City on Sunday afternoon, a police official said.
Colonel Calvin Cuyag, team leader of the Metro Manila Northern Field Unit of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), told the Chronicle that they apprehended Ramos at Kathleen Place 4 Subdivision in Barangay San Bartolome, Quezon City at 2 p.m.
Ramos who allegedly swindled millions of pesos out of government officials, overseas contract workers, doctors, engineers, businessmen, policemen, retired professionals and other Bohol residents is facing multiple estafa charges.
He reportedly raked in P300 million in investments, particularly through foreign exchange trading.
Ramos has been in hiding since his alleged investment scam was exposed earlier this year.
According to Cuyag, Ramos showed no resistance and was alone when he was collared by CIDG operatives at a newly built apartment.
“Walang resistance, medyo na surprise siya. Pagdating namin doon, parang kakatapos lang niya kumain tapos umupo sa labas ng bahay nakasando lang,” said Cuyag.
Cuyag added that they were armed with an arrest warrant for a single estafa charge, but Ramos has several other standing warrants.
Ramos was detained at the CIDG Caloocan headquarters pending his transfer to Bohol to face charges filed against him before courts in the province.
Cuyag said they were informed of Ramos’ whereabouts by CIDG Bohol chief Lt. Col. Saturnino Estigoy who has been leading the investigation in the province.
According to Estigoy, Ramos had already fled Bohol when his scam was exposed prompting the CIDG to look for the suspect in Samar and various areas in Metro Manila before finally receiving information on Sunday morning that he was in Quezon City.
“Kung saan-saan na siya nagpupunta pero lately sa NCR (National Capital Region) talaga siya nagtago. Matagal na kaming may info na nasa Metro Manila pero palipat-lipat,” said Estigoy.
Earlier, Ramos’ wife Deanna said in a sworn statement that he went to Manila in December 2020 to process some papers but never returned.
Two months later, the Chronicle first reported on the alleged large-scale estafa with multiple complaints already filed against Ramos.
Estigoy said at least six individuals have filed complaints against Ramos before their office while several others have already filed cases in court.
The CIDG has also filed a case on behalf of a complainant who, in an affidavit, narrated being “duped in his [Ramos] fraudulent scheme anchored on a ’30 Days Investment’ in which the member would “pay in” and with the unlimited amount the member ‘would wait a period of 30 days for a guaranteed return of investment or a return of 23% gain/profit.’”
Estigoy called on other victims to come forward, noting that the case against Ramos could be elevated to syndicated estafa if a complainant can provide information indicating that the suspect was working with others in running the investment scam.
Syndicated estafa is a non-bailable offense.
“Mas maganda kung mas maraming complainant at makuha natin sa kanila yung detalyi na may mga kasamahan pa itong si Jed Ramos para maging syndicated estafa sana,” said Estigoy.