Tourist falls prey to Ativan Gang

A Malaysian tourist lost cash and valuables to suspected members of the Ativan gang in Manila yesterday.

Hew Fie Yong, 32, who is billeted at Dusit Hotel in Makati City, reported the incident to the Western Police District-General Assignment Section after she lost P2,000, a Nokia 8250 cellular phone and camera accessories to four women, one of them was pregnant.

The complainant identified one of the suspects as a certain Nico, 19 years old and 4’11" tall and with short hair.

Initial investigation showed Yong was taking pictures at Rizal Park when two of the suspects approached and befriended her. Minutes later, she was taken to Puerta Real in Intramuros, where they met two other suspects.

Yong told the women she wanted to take pictures of the Manila Cathedral and Fort Santiago but instead the suspects suggested they go to Chinatown. There, she was given candies and a glass of water. Shortly after consuming the candies, Yong felt sleepy.

She was placed in a taxi that took her back to her hotel. She was inside the cab when she found that her belongings were missing. – Cecille Suerte Felipe