Shop loses money to con artists

MANILA, Philippines - The employees of a Quezon City shop gave away P13,000 in change without getting the payment for a chandelier ordered by con artists, one of whom claimed to be the sister of Mayor Herbert Bautista, police said yesterday.

Senior Police Officer 4 Allan de la Cruz, head of the robbery and theft section of the Quezon City Police District, said a branch of Wilcon Home Essentials in Ali Mall, Cubao lost the money Friday afternoon.

Assistant manager Bryan de la Torre, 30, told police there were two persons involved in the deception, including a woman who introduced herself as Dr. Emilia Bautista. A second suspect introduced himself as Attorney Bautista, the son of Dr. Bautista.

The woman called up the shop at around 5 p.m. Friday and placed an order for a chandelier, then asked that it be delivered to a jewelry shop at the Gateway mall in Cubao. She also said the delivery personnel bring P13,000 in P500 bills in exchange for the money she prepared.

De la Torre said he made the delivery, accompanied by two of the shop’s personnel. They met in front of a fast food outlet a man who introduced himself as Attorney Bautista.

After asking if they had the chandelier ordered by his mother, the man made a phone call and talked to a certain Gladys, whom he told to prepare P23,000 for the payment.

The man quickly signed the receipt and asked for the money that had P500 bills. De la Torre said he and his crew then went to the jewelry shop but found that the shop did not order any chandelier and that it was not connected to any of the suspects.