Hypnotist gang uses new way to dupe victims
Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang
Darti, 20, a student from Paramita University, was having a light lunch in the food court at Lippo Supermal in Karawaci on Thursday when a man approached, started conversation and politely offered a bottle of soft drink.
The man, later identified as Firmansyah, showed Darti a mini Koran he wanted to sell.
At about the same time, several unfamiliar people approached and showed great interest in the Koran. A woman named Ekalia tried to bargain for the Koran while another man, who claimed his name was Sobirin, offered a higher price.
But Firmansyah said he would not sell the Koran to anybody but Darti, who he said was the right person for the Koran.
Darti later told police that she lost awareness as soon as she touched the mini Koran. She did whatever the culprits wanted from her, including give them her debit card, mobile phone and a Rp 20,000 (US$2.35) bill.
Still under spell, Darti left the mall and went straight to her campus in Curug. As soon as she arrived, she regained her awareness and realized that she had been duped. She went back to the mall and reported the incident to the security guards.
"Luckily, our undercover police were deployed around the mall so they could immediately find the suspects who were still waiting for other victims in the food court," said Tangerang police detective deputy chief Insp. Kustanto.
The police arrested Firmansyah, 23, the leader of the gang and members Ekalia, 30; Antony, 24; Gunardi, 28; Sobirin, 33; and Firza Fernando, 27. All six claimed they were South Sumatra citizens living in a rented house in Batu Ceper district, Tangerang.
Kustanto said Firmansyah was arrested by the Pasar Kemis police last year for a similar crime, but the case was closed due to a lack of evidence.
Five others said they had not participated in similar schemes.
"I joined in because I needed money to pay the hospital fees for my breast surgery to remove the cancer," said Ekalia, who only has one breast.