Chinese national loses P.25 M to con artist

A Chinese national reportedly fell prey to a con artist who took away P250,000 in cash and valuables yesterday morning in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Chen Xiao Xiong, 40, told police he could not explain how his cash worth P235,000 and a cellular phone worth P15,000 disappeared from inside his shoulder bag while he was talking to the woman.

Senior Police Officer 2 Ronald Carlos said Chen, who works as a chef at the Home Deli Restaurant on Kalaw street in Ermita, said he was on his way to the Arranque Market when he met the suspect along Ongpin street in Sta. Cruz.

The woman, who Chen described as between 45 and 50 years old, at least 5’1” tall, and of medium build, tapped him on the shoulder and talked to him in Chinese. The woman allegedly wanted to go back to China and sell her gold necklace.

Chen, who could speak Filipino and Chinese, said he seemed hypnotized by the woman and could not remember what transpired after talking to her.

“The victim only regained consciousness long after the woman had gone. When he checked the contents of his shoulder bag, the cash and his cell phone were already missing,” Carlos said.

The police prepared a sketch of the suspect based on Chen’s description. Carlos said the police will still verify Chen’s statement and will look for possible witnesses to the incident.