‘ATM Queen’ strikes again, steals P130K from elderly

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Just weeks after her arrest, an alleged swindler is back in business.

Lunalyn de Pedro allegedly victimized yet another elderly woman who was about to deposit cash in an ATM afternoon of February 25 at BPI Family Savings Bank inside GT Plaza Mall in M.H del Pilar St., Molo, Iloilo City.

But the 62-year-old unnamed government employee only learned about the incident two days later upon checking with her bank.

The victim reported the incident to police authorities only recently. She told the police investigator that she finished the transaction at 2:30 p.m. on February 25 and noted that the machine did not dispense any receipt.

A woman, whom she described to be of medium build, with shoulder-length hair, light-complexioned, and was wearing sunglasses, approached and pretended to assist her.

The suspect told the victim, “Dal-a di bi. Tilawan ta kung may ma-guwa nga resibo.”

The victim claimed she gave her ATM card to the woman without hesitation.

When the suspect inserted her card, the elderly victim claimed the machine failed to dispense it. The helpful lady then told the victim to cancel her transaction because her ATM card was also captured.

The victim again believed the suspect and left the bank.

She returned at 9 a.m. on February 27 only to learn that the bank’s ATM did not capture her card.

She immediately made a balance check and was dumbfounded to learn that the P130,000 deposit was gone.

The money was withdrawn on several transaction dates.

Intelligence operatives and duty investigators were immediately dispatched to investigate.

CCTV footage showed that the woman who victimized the government employee fit the description of 40-year-old de Pedro, whose last known address is Barangay Gustilo, La Paz, Iloilo City.

The victim positively identified her through the rogue’s gallery.

At one point, the suspect allegedly took off her sunglasses and mask, the victim claimed.

Major Shella Mae Sangrines, Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) spokesperson, said that they have released the mug shot of the suspect to warn the public of her activities.

“She’s been doing this kind of fraud all over the country. That’s why we call her the ATM Queen,” she added.

Members of the Iloilo City Mobile Force Company arrested de Pedro on February 3, a day before her birthday.

Police operatives collared the suspect by virtue of an arrest warrant for violation of Republic Act 8484 (Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998) docketed as Criminal Case No. DU-37183.

Judge Joe Noel Codero Lawas of the Regional Trial Court Branch 84 in Mandaue City, Cebu, issued the warrant on Jan. 20, 2023.

The accused was charged for duping elderly women by pretending to help them with ATM withdrawals.

It was believed that de Pedro was part of a group that operates in other parts of the country.

Lately, she was monitored to be working as a personal caregiver in Batangas.

She apparently used that as a front in her budol-budol or swindling scam.

Police records showed that de Pedro was also arrested in Huervana Street, La Paz on Dec. 23, 2020.