Hypnotist gang uses new way to dupe victims

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.