MANILA, Philippines—An elderly physician lost more than P1 million in cash, jewelry and other valuables—all in a safety box—after his househelp was told to retrieve her boss’s vault because of an “accident.”
The Quezon City Police District said the incident was likely the work of the Dugo Dugo Gang, which employs deceit in tricking maids to be unwitting accomplices in the theft of their employers’ valuables.
Dr. Marcelino Ostrea, 60, told police that he lost jewelry, cash, passports, car keys and papers all secured in a safety vault at his home in Xavierville III, Barangay Loyola Heights.
Police learned that a new maid, Jerrylyn Braza, 18, was the one who was duped over the phone by still unknown suspects on Friday afternoon.
SPO4 Alan de la Cruz, chief of QCPD’s theft and robbery section, said Braza was even accosted by a subdivision security guard on her way out to deliver the items to her boss’s “aide.”
Braza, in an attempt to explain the purpose of her “errand,” asked Ostrea’s supposed “secretary,” a certain Joan, to talk to the security guard blocking her way out of the village.
Braza told police that on her way out of the subdivision aboard a tricycle, a guard at the gate approached her to ask where she came from and what she was carrying.
Braza said she showed the safety box inside the plastic box which she got from her employer’s home.
The unnamed security guard even spoke to “Joan,” the supposed secretary, for five minutes after which he let Braza pass through, apparently convinced.
Police learned that the maid has been working only for a month at the Ostrea residence when a woman who identified herself as “Michelle” called Braza on Friday at 3 p.m.
The woman told Braza that her employers got involved in a traffic mishap and needed cash, fast. Another female then talked to Braza and claimed to be Edna, Ostrea’s wife.
The maid told police that the woman claiming to be Ostrea’s wife really sounded like Edna, convincing her that her employers were really in trouble.
De la Cruz, citing Braza’s statement, said Michelle spoke again to Braza and told her to get the safety box from the masters’ bedroom which was unlocked.
Braza recalled that she was told to bring the safety box in front of the Nice Hotel near the SM North Edsa where her bosses are to meet her, but the secretary, “Joan,” came in their stead.
The woman took the loot from the unsuspecting maid and told Braza to go the bus stop where the Ostreas’ will pick her up, but the maid waited until midnight to no avail.