Retired teacher loses P400K to ‘bodol-bodol’

BACOLOD City Police Office (BCPO) Director Ricardo De la Paz Friday warned the public to be vigilant against “bodol-bodol” suspects who recently victimized a retired teacher of P400,000 cash and some jewelry.

De la Paz identified the victim as Margarita Peremne, 63, resident of Dos Hermanas, Talisay City, Negros Occidental.

At 3 p.m. last Tuesday while the victim was in a mall, a male suspect approached her and introduced himself as a friend of her son then after a few minutes a “Korean” woman arrived in the area and asked them if they know how to withdraw money from the ATM machine, De la Paz said.

Peremne, for unknown reason, helped the woman withdraw money from the automated teller machine, De la Paz added.

The three went to Land Bank at Gatuslao Street and upon reaching the area, the victim used her own ATM card to withdraw P400,000 from her own account, after which the suspects told her they will bring her home to Talisay in their blue service vehicle, De la Paz added.

While they were inside the vehicle, one of the suspects asked the victim to put her cash and jewelries in a bag. When they reached Talisay, the suspects left her with a bag, instead of her belongings, containing fake money, De la Paz said.

The city director said several people were already victimized by “bodol-bodol” suspects using same modus operandi.

The investigation revealed the victim was lured because of promises that they can also earn big money, he said.

De la Paz also ordered Station 2 commander Robert Dejucos to conduct further investigation, considering that the same incident also occurred recently in Bago City involving a male suspect and a Korean looking woman.

The city director appealed to the public to be vigilant against “bodol-bodol” suspects. (Merlinda A. Pedrosa)