NY Consulate on look out for convicted scam artist

Don Tagala, ABS-CBN North America Bureau


August 30, 2013



NEW YORK— The Philippine consulate in New York is warning kababayans to be cautious in dealing with 55-year-old Merlyn Gacayan, a former resident of Queens Village before she disappear after not paying her rent. 

The consulate has received a number of complaints against Gacayan, ranging from Ponzi schemes to swindling people to no end. 

Gacayan is a convicted swindler in her native native Cebu for estafa and illegal recruitment in 2010. 

Criminal charges were also filed against her in 2012 before Cebu’s regional trial court. Gacayan is now on the consulate’s look out list and is asking for the public to help track her down. The consulate is also taking written statements from alleged victims, so they can coordinate their cases with police. 

The Philippine consulate in New York can be reached at 212-764-1330 or phcongen.newyork@gmail.com