QC maid lands in jail after falling for ‘dugo-dugo’

Just two days on the job, a 17-year-old domestic helper ended up in a Quezon City jail  on a complaint from her employers who said she gave away around P1.8 million in cash and valuables to con artists.

The minor, who may be a victim herself of a modus operandi known as “dugo-dugo,” is facing charges of qualified theft filed by her employer Michello Go of Barangay Santol.

PO2 Jogene Hernandez of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said the girl, who hails from Taguig City, underwent inquest proceedings Saturday, with the prosecutor not recommending bail.

An investigation showed that around 6:20 p.m. Friday, the girl was home alone when she received a call from a woman claiming to be Go, who said she had figured in an accident and urgently needed cash.

The frantic caller then instructed the maid to go to her employer’s bedroom, force open the cabinets and drawers, and get all the cash and jewelry that were kept there.

She was also told to put them in a bag, take a cab to SM San Lazaro, and give them to a man and a woman waiting for her.

About an hour later, Go, who was still out buying groceries, got a call from the guard of her subdivision saying her new maid was seen rushing out of the village.

When the maid returned empty-handed, Go had her arrested by members of the QCPD’s Galas station. Julie M. Aurelio