Hypnotists make off with Rp 10m

TANGERANG: Two men allegedly hypnotized a woman on Jl. Teuku Umar in Tangerang on Monday evening before stealing Rp 10 million (US$1,176.47) from the victim.

Yanti Utari told police she was waiting for a bus at about 7:30 p.m. when two men approached and asked her for directions.

While they were talking, one of the men took a ring off his finger and handed it to the woman.

Yanti said she did not remember anything after being handed the ring. When she regained her senses, she realized that she had lost Rp 10 million in cash, a gold necklace, ring and bracelet, and a cellular phone.

Tangerang Police deputy chief of detectives, Insp. Kustanto, said on Tuesday there had been several recent incidents of women being hypnotized and robbed.

"Therefore, we call on women traveling alone not to wear jewelry and not to answer questions from strangers on the street," he said. -- JP