An American national complained that he was duped by a woman whom he met in an online social dating website.
The foreigner, who asked not to be named, sought help from the theft and robbery section of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) to locate the woman and recover the things that he had given to her.
The foreigner, a native of Hawaii, arrived in Cebu City two weeks ago and was staying in barangay Guadalupe.
He said the woman identified herself as Mary Christ Basañes, 29, a native of Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.
The woman was said to be staying in barangay Lahug, Cebu City.
The American said he met her last August through the Internet dating site SignLoveAsia.Com.
He said they become lovers and the woman started asking money from him.
The man said he sent $600 last year after Basañes said she was affected by typhoon Ondoy. The foreigner said he sent another $2,500 when the woman said she planned to put up a piggery business, a water refilling station and a fashion boutique.
The foreigner said the woman sent pictures of her businesses to show where the money was spent.
The foreigner said he went to Manila last May 3 when they decided to get married.
He became suspicious when the woman left their hotel room several times without asking permission.
When he confronted her, the woman admitted that money he had sent was not used to put up a business.
Last week, the woman brought the American to meet her relatives for dinner in barangay Lahug.
That was the last time he saw Basañes.
The American said he only wanted to get back the ring and the motorcycle he had bought for the woman.
Police said it was possible that the woman used a fictitious name since the name Mary Christ Basañes was not found in the records of the National Statistics Office./CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON