Pretending to contract my house

Pretending to contract my house

From Pos Kota

I placed a notice on Feb. 24, 2000 to the effect that I was leasing my house on contract basis. Exactly at 7 p.m. I got a call from a man by the name of Joko. He was interested in contracting my house for four years as his company moved him from Surabaya to Jakarta, and he agreed to the terms of the contract.

I suggested that he came to examine the house, but he said it was not necessary as a neighbor of mine was his colleague and he already knew the type of house being advertised. This led me to believe him. Actually he gave another reason for not coming i.e. he had to go to Surabaya very soon, and promised to meet me at home on the following Sunday.

We agreed to meet at BCA Plaza Sentral Sudirman at 11 a.m. At 11:10 a plump gentleman appeared. He was short, smart and holding a diary and mobile phone. And he was Joko; dark complexion and far from handsome.

He greeted me sympathetically, and while shaking hands with me he patted my shoulder. Then, without thinking I just followed his instructions. He paid me by check issued by CIC Bank, including an extra amount as an additional facility from his company.

I signed the deposit form, and Joko did all the work while I was asked to wait. Afterwards he gave me the receipt of the transaction. On the way out, I asked his identity but he had good reasons not to comply. Surprisingly I believed his words.

But then he asked me for Rp 2 million as a loan to be used for an urgent matter, and the extra amount he had paid me as a guarantee. I gave him the money requested for I had just withdrawn money from an ATM nearby. When I reached home I regained my senses. The following day I checked with the bank. The fact is that his account had long been closed and the check was rejected for clearing. The bank advised of a similar experience previously.

MRS. TETY

Bekasi, West Java