Deception

Deception

From Kompas

A gentleman who claimed to be a Singaporean living in Malaysia patted my shoulder and asked where he could change his Bolivian dollars. He said he worked on a ship that was berthed in Tanjung Priok, Jakarta. He said he could bring in electronic or luxurious goods without paying import duty and subsequently they could be sold at bargain prices.

I did not know a money changer who could change Bolivian dollars so he asked two other gentlemen who happened to be standing behind us (but later I realized they were his accomplices) who told him there was one nearby. This Singaporean also said that he was penniless because he was cheated by a taxi driver who drove him from Tanjung Priok.

Then the three of them asked me to discuss something in a nearby restaurant. In the beginning I refused as I began to realize that something was going on. But they insisted that it would not take long. So I agreed. They began to talk about electronic goods. They tried hard to attract my attention but I was not interested in any of their offers.

Finally they offered me a "Rolex" wristwatch worth Rp 15 million. But one of his accomplices paid for the watch. Again the Singaporean showed me another watch of the same make, and they urged me to buy the watch. I said I had no money. Then I was asked to withdraw money from my bank account with my ATM card. I told them my credit was not enough. The man further urged me to pay for it by using a credit card. They wanted me to buy something as a token. Realizing that I was in awkward position, I left them saying that I had to go a some place immediately.

This should serve as a warning to the public to be vigilant about the sophisticated ways of deceiving people.

Name and address

withheld