MPD warns vs con artists preying on students

MANILA, Philippines - The Manila Police District (MPD) is warning the public against a new modus operandi of a swindling syndicate whose members prey mostly on students.

“This new type of swindlers, better known as ‘Budol-Budol Gang,’ employs a scheme wherein they sweet-talk gullible young students to part with their valuables,” Manila Police District theft and robbery section head Chief Inspector Edgardo Carpio said.

The warning was issued following the complaint of a 13-year-old coed who lost an expensive cellular phone to a female member of the gang.

According to the girl (name withheld), she had just come out of the Ramon Magsaysay High School along España Boulevard in Sampaloc when a woman approached her and introduced herself as her mother’s friend.

The suspect asked the victim to call her mother so she can talk to her. The girl was even given P60 to load her cellphone so she can call her mother. The girl said she was made to believe that the woman was really talking to her mother.

The suspect then took the girl at the UST Hospital where she was told that sum of money will be entrusted to her for her mother. She was then asked to buy an envelop wherein the money will be placed, while at the same time still pretending to talk to her mother through her cellphone.

The girl said that when she returned to the place, the woman was already gone with her cellphone.

The girl described the suspect as slim, at least 5’2” tall, with dark complexion and decayed teeth.

Carpio deployed undercover policemen at the victim’s school in the hope that the suspect will return to the same place to victimize other students.