Vendor robbed by hypnotist

JAKARTA: A vegetable vendor, Ijah, 45, was selling produce on Tuesday morning near a housing complex in Jatimakmur, Pondok Gede, East Jakarta, when she was hypnotized by a customer.

Several housewives passing the area later found Ijah and shook her out of her stupor as she sat on the curb, looking confused. Ijah cried when she discovered that she was missing Rp 250,000 (US$29.40).

She recalled that an attractive woman had stopped by her vegetable cart and bargained for cabbage and spinach.

"I remember the woman touched my shoulder and looked at me in the eyes without blinking. I don't know what happened afterwards," Ijah said much later, saying that the woman must have hypnotized her then stole the money.

The case is being handled by Pondok Gede Police.

Earlier this month, another vegetable vendor, Mugiyah, was also duped by a woman she said had hypnotized her while she was waiting for customers in Jatikramat, Pondok Gede. -- JP