MANILA, Philippines — An Australian tourist allegedly lost his mobile phone to a woman named “Angel” and then suffered a double whammy when he thought he could have it back after paying P6,000 “ransom’’ to her accomplice in Manila on Wednesday.
The alleged robbery took place after he and Angel spent time in a hotel.
Police Officer 3 JayJay Jacob of the Manila Police District said 57-year-old Kirwan Arkan lodged a robbery complaint against the woman — whom he could identify only by her first name — and an unnamed male cohort.
The man allegedly stole then offered to return his company-issued Samsung Galaxy S-1 mobile phone in exchange for cash. Neither the robbers nor the mobile phone came back.
Arkan was taking stroll at a shopping mall in Malate when a girl, who introduced herself as Angel, tried to befriend him and asked for his number.
The tourist and Angel then went to a hotel on San Marcelino Street. But when Angel left, Arkan discovered his mobile phone missing along with her.
The case investigator said Arkan immediately reported the loss of his phone to the hotel personnel. But while airing his complaint, an unidentified man suddenly came up to him saying he was Angel’s friend and that he knew where she would sell the phone. In exchange for the phone’s return, the man asked for P6,000 cash.
However when the tourist handed the money, the man never returned and disappeared along with Angel and the mobile phone.