New mode of deceit

Nowadays, drivers in Jakarta must beware of hoodlums who intentionally knock themselves into the sides of passing cars. This trick is played most often upon drivers moving slow in heavy traffic or those kind hearted persons who drive slow to avoid danger.

What follows is often the hoodlum rolling on the ground feigning deep agony while screaming aduh, aduuh (ouch-ow-ow). If the driver steps out of his car, the "victim" will often point to a shoulder grimacing in pain with a distorted devilish face. Unsuspecting drivers are usually overwhelmed by a deep feeling of compassion.

Sometimes, a sympathetic bystander will step forward to assist the driver or support the seemingly seriously wounded hoodlum. A little red ink splashed onto the victim's shirt may be a final touch.

Soon the hoodlum, the driver and the bystander -- who is no doubt the hoodlum's friend -- are on their way to a hospital. On the way negotiation with the unsuspecting driver begins.

The hoodlum might say, "Instead of you going to the hospital with me, just give me some money and I will go to a dukun (medicine man) who will charge less than a doctor."

The amount of money which can be stripped from a driver depends on the cunning of the hoodlum. In one instance, a hoodlum and his crony snatched the driver's wallet and took the money inside as if it were their own grandmother's. The driver also lost his Rolex watch and his gold wedding ring.

According to my colleague who told me this bizarre story, at least three different people have fallen victim to such deceit on Jl. Pahlawan Revolusi, Klender alone. My colleague's husband, who has been robbed himself in this manner, refused to tell his wife how much he paid to the extortionists for fear of causing her a nervous breakdown.

A. DJUANA

Jakarta