2 Foreigners Allegedly Deceived Few Street Vendors in Manila
Two foreigners who pretended to be interested in buying goods and learning about Philippine currency reportedly deceived a few street vendors.
Several street vendors were swindled by two foreigners in Sampaloc, Manila. According to one victim, the foreigners approached her in a white car and initially asked about the value of a P50 bill.
The foreigner then got out of the car and inquired about the appearance of the new P1,000 bill. One vendor identified as Susan Darwas told her husband she was scammed and revealed the entire incident.
“May pera po kasi ako dito na P7,000. Tiningnan ko kung may bago ba, e wala. Pilit niya po kinuha sa kamay ko, hinila niya ng mabilis. Sobrang bilis ng kamay niya po. Pagbalik niya sakin naka-fold na po,” the vendor recounted.
The foreigner then pretended to browse the slippers she was selling before leaving. It wasn’t until later that she realized some of her money was missing.
“Sabi ko sa asawa ko, parang nawalan talaga ako ng P2,000. Parang nabudol talaga ako kasi hinawakan niya buong P7,000. Pag bilang ko P5,000 na lang,” the vendor said. They tried to chase the foreigners but couldn’t catch them.
CCTV footage from the barangay showed the white car speeding away and almost hitting another vehicle after running a red light. Another vendor, Susan Darwas, experienced a similar incident.
“Sabi ko bakit naghahabulan. Sabi niya na-modus sila nawalan sila ng P2,000. Sabi ko hala hinawakan din niya ‘yung pera ko. Kasi makapal ‘yun e. Nangonti nawala ‘yung tig P100,” Darwas shared.
In another post, a foreigner accused of poisoning stray dogs in Bacolod City
Barangay Chairman Benjamin Pasamonte of Barangay 424, Sampaloc, Manila noted that this scam was a new tactic used by thieves. This is the first time they’ve encountered such a modus operandi.
She advised her fellow vendors not to let anyone touch their money, just show it but hold it themselves.
The victims are hopeful that the culprits will be caught soon to prevent them from harming other vendors. The police are now conducting a backtracking investigation to locate the suspects.
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