BAGUIO City -- A suspected illegal recruiter who claimed to be a mall supervisor was arrested Monday after he was chased by his victims inside SM Mall here.

Senior Supt. David Lacdan, chief of police here,  said the suspect, June Rualo Fonacier, 26,  of San Roque, Agoo, La Union, was almost lynched after he was collared by his victims of illegal recruitment.

The suspect was arrested after three weeks of hiding when he was chanced by the complainants inside SM City Baguio.

Lacdan said a brief chase occurred but the suspect was arrested with the assistance of security personnel and was turned over to Police Station 7.

Lt. Karissma Sta. Juana, police spokesperson here, said the suspect was charged with estafa and illegal recruitment based on the complaints of three victims who were recruited at about 4 p.m. last Jan. 4 along the Post office Loop on Session Road.

Investigators said the suspect approached the victims and introduced himself as head supervisor at SM-Baguio. After convincing the victims, the suspect collected P1,450, P3,700 and P5,000 from the three victims.

After receiving the amount, the victims could no longer locate the suspect until they chanced upon him at the mall.

The case was referred to Prosecutor Jorge Manaois and ordered the detention of the suspect at the Baguio City police jail.