The Tagbilaran City Police Office (TCPO) warned the public against a newly known crime group dubbed “Dugo-dugo Gang” which allegedly swindled a large amount of cash out of a woman last week.
According to TCPO chief Supt. Patricio Degay, victim Maria (not her real name) lost P100,000 to a trickster believed to be part of the said group last week.
Based on Maria’s report to police, she was called through her mobile phone by the suspect who identified himself as an employee of the agency of her husband Mark (not his real name) who is a seaman.
The suspect told Maria that Mark accidentally killed the captain of a vessel as they figured in a physical tussle following a heated argument
Maria’s husband was also injured and needed to be transported to the Philippines for treatment.
However, Mark had to pass through Ilo-ilo as National Bureau of Investigation agents and the media were waiting for him at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the suspect said.
The suspect then asked for P100,000 from Maria for her Mark’s treatment and other expenses while assuring her that the agency will be taking care of her husband.
Believing the suspect’s claims, Maria immediately sent the said amount through a deposit.
However, after the making the deposit, the suspect could no longer be contacted, Maria told authorities.
Maria also tried to contact Mark but he could also could not be contacted while she, at the time, did not know where her seaman husband was.
Meanwhile, police have already started a follow-up probe on the incident to identify and apprehend the suspect. (AD)