KM Viray
Netizen Mike Euqgnoy posted a warning to fellow netizens and to the public of what appears to be another modus operandi, this time involving foreigners–or those who make themselves appear to be foreigners.
Euqgnoy posted his experience on the evening of August 1. He was in front of the Mitsubishi showroom by EDSA and Roxas Blvd. near the Heritage Hotel when he was approached by a man who introduced himself as a Japanese national. Euqgnoy thought he seemed “legit” as he looked and spoke Japanese. The man asked him what time it was, but having no watch, Euqgnoy told him he didn’t know. The man asked the same question again and Euqgnoy gave the same response.
The man then asked how he could get to Makati and mentioned a hotel he had to go to. During their conversation, Euqgnoy was becoming wary as he had already heard about a new modus operandi where “foreigners” would act like they had lost all of their possessions or were robbed/held up and asked for help.
The same scenario was apparently taking place. The Japanese man told Euqgnoy all his possessions were snatched from him and he asked for money so he could return to his hotel. He also asked for Euqgnoy’s cellphone number so he could supposedly return Euqgnoy’s money the next day. Euqgnoy, however, luckily had a coin purse other than his wallet. He showed the coin purse which contained only P60 to the man. Euqgnoy said he could only lend the guy P20.
The man merely laughed at his offer and walked away. When Euqgnoy watched where the man went, he saw the man had a companion waiting for him near the flyover in the area. Euqgnoy was very thankful he did not show the man his phone nor his wallet while waiting for his ride.
Netizens should be wary, as Euqgnoy had been, when a suspicious stranger approaches them. This new modus operandi should be disseminated to the public to save them from being robbed or taken.
Banner photo from www.9news.com.au.
