Teener loses P4,000 to conman

Police raised an alarm yesterday against a conman whose sleigh of hands has reportedly victimized several Meralco subscribers.

Police said the suspect uses his glib tongue and quick hands to rob his victims of cash intended for payment of electric bills.

Alfredo Enriquez, of Dapitan st., Sampaloc, accompanied his 16-year-old son yesterday to the police station to report the loss of his P4,000 payment for Meralco.

According to the teener, he was on his way to the Meralco branch in España street in Sampaloc when a man approached him and introduced himself as a police officer. The victim said the man forwarned him of the presence of robbers in the area, and when the suspect saw the electric bill he was holding, the man handed him an envelope to place his money.

The suspect then wrapped the envelope in a piece of white paper and placed it in the teener’s pocket. The teener was also advised to open the envelope only when he reaches the Meralco office.

The teener said he was surprised when he opened the envelope and found only a pack of cigarette inside minus the P4,000.

The victim described the suspect as about 40 to 50 years old, about 5’7" tall, of medium built, with dark complexion and with curly hair. – Nestor Etolle