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