The police is warning the public, especially mall-goers, to beware of individuals who may be part of a syndicate stealing automated teller machine (ATM) cards.
A seaman nearly lost about P107,000 when a woman who offered to help him at a mall ATM machine in Bacolod City stole his card Thursday afternoon, PMaj. Elmer Bonilla, Police Station 1 chief, said Friday, May 5.
Fortunately the seaman spotted her at another Bacolod mall, which led to her arrest.
Bonilla said one should never accept the help of a stranger at an ATM machine because that person could be part of a “salisi” gang.
A “salisi” gang usually involves at least two to a maximum of four individuals, who will distract the intended victim to carry out the theft.
The woman apparently saw the PIN number of the seaman as he was withdrawing money from the ATM machine, Bonilla said.
His withdrawal slip did not come out of the ATM machine and the woman offered to teach the seaman how to get it, while another person hit the hand of the seaman causing his Identification and ATM cards to fall.
The woman helped pick up the items and returned what the victim thought was his ATM card.
When the seaman went to another mall he discovered that he did not have the right ATM card. The seaman then went to his bank and discovered that his ATM card had been used.
He later saw the woman at the second mall and confronted her. She was then brought by the mall security guards to Police Station 1, Bonilla said.
The woman admitted to the theft and paid the seaman back. She had cash in her bag to pay, Bonilla said.
The police had to release the woman because the seaman did not pursue charges since he was leaving for Manila to board his vessel, Bonilla said.
The picture of the woman has been circulated at all Bacolod malls to alert security personnel, Bonilla said.
The police have also requested two malls to show them their CCTV footage so the accomplices of the woman can be identified, he said.
The Tagalog speaking woman in her 50s was not from Bacolod, he added.*
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