Crimes are everywhere – on the streets, while riding on public transportation, in shopping malls, and in other areas with high people concentration. Here are the common names of gangs roaming around the metro. OFWs like us who have been out of the country for quite some time should know these modus operandi victimizing Filipinos in Metro Manila and in other major cities in the Philippines. So beware…

• Salisi Gang

In hotel lounges, coffee bars, cafes, and restaurants frequented by perceivably wealthy tourists and businessmen…

Suspects are typically well-dressed, mild-mannered, and project an aura of legitimate businessman or an affluent matron; complete with jewelry, attaché case and other props to appear and look wealthy. The perpetrator moves closer to the would-be victim and waits patiently until the victim is engrossed in a serious conversation with a companion or leaves his or her bags and other belongings unattended. In a swift motion, the perpetrator takes the unattended bag or belongings and casually leaves the place.

Another variant, involves two or three accomplices who distract the would-be victim by engaging them in a conversation, often pretending to know the victim from somewhere or ask for a lighter. When distracted, the accomplice takes the unattended bag or belongings of the victim.

Another tactic involves a perpetrator who loiters around the hotel ‘ s front desk and waits for a guest to deposit his room key or is busy conversing with the front desk staff during registration. Once the victim is already busy talking with the front desk staff, the perpetrator makes his move by walking beside the victims and grab the bags or belongings unattended in a swift motion and casually leaves the location.

• Tutok-Kalawit Gang

In malls, sidewalks, schools, public buses, and jeepneys…

Tutok-Kalawit involves a man or woman suddenly hugging a victim like they are old friends. In truth, the con man or woman is discreetly poking a sharp object on the side of the victim while quietly telling him to turn over his cash and valuables.
Another variant of this criminal tactic would be two thieves accusing a victim of something bogus. The victim would naturally deny the charge and confront his accuser. The thieves would then ask the victim to show his/her ID. Since IDs are usually kept in wallets, thieves will grab the wallet from the victim and run away.

• Ativan Gang

In bars, boardwalks, restaurant, and other tourist spots…

Ativan perpetrators commonly victimize foreigners who roam alone in public places. The group is usually composed of three (3) to four (4) males or females who befriend the would-be victim. After gaining trust and confidence, the victim will be taken for a ride to other tourist sites and during meal time, the victim will be brought to their house usually situated in a squatter colony where the victim will be treated for lunch, snacks, or dinner. The served drink is spiked with Ativan – a powerful anti-depressant/ sleeping pill. Even before finishing the drink, the victim will succumb to a deep sleep and while sleeping, will be stripped of his cash and valuables and will be brought out of the house and left at a completely random location.
Another variant of this tactic is when a male victim is se – duced and picked-up in a bar, restaurant, park and/or a tourist site by a gorgeous female, well dressed and well-mannered. The victim will be approached and befriended until a casual conversation and se – duction process takes place which culminates in negotiated se – xual activities. The victim will either be brought to a pre-arranged hotel/motel or to his own hotel room. Once at the designated room, the victim will be offered liquor or drink which the perpetrator mixes with highly potent Ativan pills. Once the victim is unconscious, the suspect will divest the victim of his cash/valuables, and then leave the victim at the scene. Most of the victims of this crime wake-up after two to three days and it takes another two days before the victim can fully recover from the drugs and discover the losses.

• Ipit Gang

In crowded areas such as passenger jeepneys, railway stations, and malls…

Ipit gang members operate in groups of four or five. Gang members shove or push a prospective victim to distract him or her, while their accomplice picks his pocket. In jeepneys and buses, suspects squeeze-in and distract their victims while their accomplice snatches the victim’s wallet and/or mobile phone.

• Budol-Budol Gang

In malls, airports, restaurants, and coffee shops frequented by perceivably wealthy tourists and businessmen…

Budol-Budol is a transaction scam principally involving a supposed bundle (budol) of cash that is actually padded inside with sheets of paper cut in the size of money. Only the exposed sides however are real money, everything in between are plain paper cuttings.

Budol-budol gang members are often described as sweet-talking, charismatic, and convincing. Other victims even report having been hypnotized by the group.

Reports and stories of the Budol-budol operations vary from a balikbayan (returning overseas Filipinos) urgently needing a huge amount in Philippine Peso in exchange for his Dollars, to a stranger ‘ s emergency offer to swap his bundle of cash with a mobile phone or an expensive piece of jewelry. After gaining the potential victim ‘ s trust the two parties barter their items – the bundle of money for whatever product the to-be victim is peddling. Mobile phones and jewelry are the most commonly lost items. Some high profile cases involve rare paintings, expensive furniture and millions worth of checks to the Budol-budol gang. After the deal is made, the gang and the victim splits.

Another, more sensational and dramatic variant of this crime is the use of fake gold bars, which the suspects use as bait for their victims. The ploy commonly used involves a Filipino treasure hunter or a Japanese survivor has knowledge of a secret Japanese fortune which was plundered by the retreating Japanese Army during World War II which is yet to be completely recovered. A sample of the gold bar is shown to the would be victim for physical examination and since the gold bar actually looks genuine, an offer is made to sell the whole fortune by asking the victim to pay half the cost of the gold bars under terms and conditions agreed upon. One of the conditions is that the gold bars can be delivered or a map can be provided and brought to the site where the bars can be dug up. After the payment, the perpetrators will never show up and the victim will soon discover that the gold bars which were delivered or unearthed from the site are gold plated lead bars.

• Kotong

In airports, hotels, restaurants, malls, and public parks frequented by foreigners and balikbayans…

The common victims of this MO are foreigners, balikbayans and their dependents who are lured into exchanging their foreign currencies into pesos at a rate higher than the prevailing exchange rates. The group/individual approaches and offers a tempting high rate to the would-be victim.

During the transaction, which usually takes place outside or right in front of a foreign exchange shop, the equivalent peso is counted before the victim three times. Initially, the victim is allowed to count the money he will receive to make him feel confident that he will get the exact amount for his foreign currency. After, a recount is done by one of the perpetrators spreading the pesos in his palm to cover his fingers that are folding a portion of the bunch. The suspect distracts the attention of the victim, often by telling him to be extra careful of robbers, while wrapping the bundle of money in a newspaper or placing it inside a paper bag. The victim eventually discovers that he was shortchanged when he counts the money while inside a car or upon arrival at his house or hotel.

• Laslas Bag / Laslas Bulsa

In malls, open-air markets, and public transportation…

Perpetrators of this crime usually target victims in crowded areas. A man/woman/child pretending to be lost or selling an item approaches the victim to distract his/her attention. An accomplice slashes the bag/pocket of the victim who is busy being distracted by another suspect. All money and goods are stolen.

• Ipit Taxi Gang

In taxis…

The Ipit Taxi scheme usually involves three (3) perpetrators. The trio uses a taxi cab spray painted with a different name and sporting stolen or fake license plates. The driver usually drives around looking for a potential victim who is hailing a taxi cab. Unknown to the victim, the locking mechanisms of both rear doors are not working. The driver then drives the cab to a pre-arranged area, usually a dimly lit street or highway, and slows down pretending he has engine/mechanical trouble. At this juncture his cohorts approach both doors of the cab, jump in and sandwich the victim who is forcibly divested of his cash and valuables. After the victim is robbed, the driver takes the victim and dumps him in a quiet place or highway.
In another variant, the taxi driver, with the help of an illegal solicitor, will ask the victim to pay an additional amount or forcibly divest him of all cash and valuables, then the victim is dumped in a remote area.

• Estribo Gang

In public transportation…

Attackers prey on passengers inside a bus or jeepney by positioning themselves near the estribo or vehicle ‘ s exit and then hold up everyone inside. In other instances, a crafty criminal will set up at the exit of a crowded bus or jeepney and systematically pick the pocket of passengers passing through.

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