Hypnotic crime targets women

BATAM, Riau: A number of women fell prey to swindlers after being hypnotized, police reported on Saturday.

One of the victims, Ayu, said she unconsciously gave her necklace and Rp 1 million in cash to a woman she had met recently.

"I was moved when she told me she had lost her cellular phone and wallet when she was about to return to her home in Malaysia," Ayu told Antara.

She said the mysterious woman offered her a wristwatch in exchange for some money. After receiving the money, strangely the alien asked for Ayu's valuable belongings.

"I immediately gave her my necklace," Ayu said.

Another victim, Bok Seng, told a similar story.

Local police recently captured a hypnotic practitioner in the Jodoh area. The suspect told the police she worked in a group and could swindle between Rp 150 million and Rp 200 million.

The group of criminals moved from one hotel to another, according to police.