Vigor Mendoza
A man impersonating the head of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) was arrested in a sting operation after allegedly extorting money from bus operators under the pretense of releasing impounded vehicles.
The suspect, identified as Jeffrey Morong Mendoza from San Mateo, Rizal, was apprehended at the Cubao Terminal Complex in Quezon City by LTO intelligence agents, along with operatives from the Philippine National Police’s Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG).
Mendoza, who had been posing as LTO chief Vigor Mendoza, tricked several bus operators into paying large sums for the release of their impounded vehicles, claiming he had the authority to clear their buses, which had been detained for operating without permits, commonly known as “colorum.” In a coordinated operation, authorities were able to catch Mendoza red-handed when he accepted the buy-bust money, marked with a P1,000 bill, from one of the victims.
The arrest was the culmination of an investigation launched after complaints surfaced from bus operators who had been contacted by someone impersonating the LTO chief. The fake official demanded P250,000 for each bus in exchange for its release—an amount that paled in comparison to the actual fine, which could be as much as P1 million. Mendoza convinced his targets that he alone had the power to facilitate the return of their impounded vehicles.
LTO officials, led by Chief Vigor Mendoza II, expressed their outrage over the fraudulent activity. “As soon as I was made aware of the situation, I directed our Intelligence and Investigation Division to take immediate action. We worked closely with the PNP-ACG to track down this criminal and put a stop to his deceitful operations,” said Mendoza.
In response to the scheme, the LTO emphasized that only a court order, not an individual, can authorize the release of impounded vehicles for colorum violations. “This case is a clear example of the kind of deception we will not tolerate. We are committed to ensuring that the full force of the law is applied to this individual,” added Mendoza. He also warned the public and bus operators to remain vigilant against such scams, advising them to report any suspicious activities to the authorities immediately.
Mendoza is now facing charges under various provisions of the Revised Penal Code, including usurpation of authority and swindling, as well as cybercrime offenses related to identity theft and online fraud. The investigation into his activities is ongoing, with further charges expected to follow.
The case has become a cautionary tale about the rising risks of impersonation and extortion within the transportation sector, particularly for vulnerable businesses facing financial hardship. Authorities have vowed to continue their crackdown on scammers targeting the public, sending a strong message that such crimes will not be tolerated.
