New mode of deceit

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