Couple scam their way into woman’s home, make off with jewelry, P220K

A couple who tricked an elderly woman into letting them into her home made off with her jewelry and about P220,000.

CCTV footage provided by the victim's grandson, Myron Mandap, shows 84-year-old Ester Doliente seated in her garage looking out onto the street on June 11, 2019 when a couple on a motorcycle—a male rider and a female passenger—stop outside and approach.

According to Mandap, the couple told Doliente that they were friends with his aunt Alice, and they were then welcomed into the home for coffee.

"In the video you'll see, lalapit 'yung babae, bababa, nakipag-beso na kay Lola. Parang close na close na sobrang beso, tapos nag-bless na. I guess it's a way for them na mapa-feel sa lola ko na close sila," said Mandap.

"Si Lola offers them coffee. 'Yung mga neighbors, nakita naman nila, although they thought na visitor talaga namin kasi yung lola ko nga,  winelcome niya talaga 'yung mga tao," he added.

Once inside the home, the man mentioned Alice's name and made small talk about her children with Doliente.

"'Yung lalaki na-mention niya 'yung right name ng tita ko, which is... how in the world na nalaman niya yung name ng tita ko? Probably nag-ask around siya sa area sinong nakatira diyan or something," said Mandap.

"Wala na siyang kailangang sabihin pa para i-convince 'yung lola ko na kilala niya 'yung tita ko," he added.

Footage from a camera inside their home shows Doliente going into her room, where she is followed by the man.

After a few moments, the man rushes out of the bedroom and runs out the front door, followed by the woman. They get on the motorcycle and flee the scene as Doliente and her household staff run out into the street shouting for help. 

"Eh ang bilis makatakas, naka-motor na," said Mandap.

Mandap urged the public, especially senior citizens, to be on their guard when approached by strangers.

"People should be really really cautious about everything, and if you really don't know the person, I guess don't entertain anybody na hindi mo talaga kilala," he said.

"Lalo na sa mga senior citizens, maraming mababait na senior citizens, I get that, and I know the senior citizens, they really like to talk, but please, if you really don't recognize the person at all and medyo alanganin na kayo sa situation, always trust your instincts," he added.

Leads on the identity of the couple caught on camera may be forwarded to Mandap through 0917-782-7782. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News