Archival warns car rental operators againts 'rent-tangay' scams

Local

CEBU City Mayor Nestor Archival has called on car rental operators to stay vigilant against the growing threat of “rent-tangay” scams, as authorities intensify efforts to crack down on organized groups involved in vehicle theft operations in Cebu.

Archival warned that the scheme, where individuals rent vehicles with no intention of returning them, has already affected several businesses in the city.

“Naa na sa Cebu ang gitawag og ‘rent-tangay scam’ diin mag-rent sila og sakyanan nga walay plano ibalik,” the mayor said in a statement.

He added that some of the stolen units were allegedly being sold using falsified documents.

“Ang uban units ginabaligya pa gamit fake documents, ug daghang negosyo na ang naapektuhan,” Archival said.

The mayor assured operators that the city government has already coordinated with the Highway Patrol Group in Central Visayas (HPG 7) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to strengthen monitoring operations and speed up the recovery of stolen vehicles.

“As your mayor, dili ta magpabaya ani,” he said.

The warning follows a series of incidents in Cebu linked to rent-tangay and “rent-sangla” schemes, which authorities believe are now being carried out by organized criminal networks.

Under the scheme, suspects rent vehicles from operators, many of them small businesses advertising online, before disappearing with the units, pawning them, or reselling them using fake documents.

Authorities have also reminded the public that these incidents may constitute carnapping under Republic Act No. 10883 or the Anti-Carnapping Act, despite attempts by some suspects to frame the offense as estafa.

One of the latest incidents tied to the investigation happened on May 11, 2026, when a car dealer was abducted near Miranza Center in Banilad, Cebu City, during a P1.8-million vehicle transaction. The victim was later found alive in Naga City, while investigators explored possible links to rent-tangay or rent-sangla operations.

Earlier operations also exposed the extent of the activity in Cebu.

In October 2024, authorities arrested a suspect outside Country Mall in Apas, Cebu City, in an entrapment operation that led to the recovery of six Toyota Vios units reportedly stolen from various rental companies.

In another case in June 2024, a woman was arrested in Mandaue City after allegedly renting vehicles from online service providers and pawning them for around P300,000 each using falsified documents.

Investigators also identified a suspect arrested in Cordova in February 2025 as an alleged leader of a rent-tangay group operating in different parts of the country.

Amid the growing concern, Archival urged operators to adopt stricter security measures before releasing vehicles to renters.

Among the measures he recommended were verifying renter IDs, installing GPS trackers in units, refusing transactions with incomplete requirements, and immediately reporting suspicious activities to authorities.

“Verify gyud ang IDs sa renter. Install GPS trackers sa inyong units. Ayaw pag-release og sakyanan nga kulang og requirements,” the mayor said.

“Report dayon ang kahina-hinalang transactions.”

The mayor also said Cebu City is working with car rental groups to establish a stronger alert and information-sharing system among operators.

“Ang inyong negosyo mao’y panginabuhi sa inyong pamilya, ug importante na sa atoang syudad. Dili mo nag-inusara ani,” Archival said.

To support anti-crime operations, the city government has also expanded assistance to law enforcement agencies through the turnover of patrol vehicles, motorcycles, SWAT vans, tactical gear, radios, and technical equipment intended to improve police mobility and response capabilities.

Authorities continue to urge vehicle owners and rental businesses to remain cautious, especially in transactions arranged online or involving questionable identification documents.(TGP)