"Dugo-dugo" Modus-Operandi

(Note: Dugo-dugo is a con where somebody calls somebody from your household and tricks them into bringing valuables or depositing cash to an account on the premise that a "loved one" met an accident and need money for hospital deposit immediately.The story posted here was written as told to the publisher but some details has yet to be confirmed as the source was also "under shock" when this story was being told. The incident truly happened though.)

This happened just two days ago. My daughter-in-law was the one who told me this. The "dugo-dugo" victim was her cousin and the total amount involved was Php 9,000.00. It could have been more, actually! Here's her story: "

Somebody (a "dugo-dugo" gang member) called her cousin in Dasmarinas, Cavite and told her that her sister, who was a nurse in the U.S., got involved in a stabbing incident at the hospital where she is working & that she had "killed" somebody!

Somehow, the immigration was able to "transport" her cousin's sister back to the Philippines via Mactan Airport in Cebu. The "dugo-dugo" victim did not suspect anything nor ask why her sister's plane landed in Cebu instead of Manila because they really have a legitimate relatives there.

Continuing on with a rather "sketchy" story, the caller further told her victim that somehow her sister was hurt and was taken to a hospital in Cebu and that she must be operated upon immediately.

At this point, the caller said that the operation cannot proceed unless she can deposit the amount of Php 30,000 to a Smart Money Account.

The victim, who was already in shock of the whole story, told the gang member that she only has Php 9,000 in cash which she will transfer immediately to the account the caller provided. She further promised to get the additional money immediately.

After depositing the money to a Smart Money account, and eager to "save" her sister, the victim went to her other family members to request for additional cash. There, the victim told them where she will use the money.

At this point, everyone tried to gain composure & then somebody suggested that before depositing additional money, they should try calling the U.S. hospital first to confirm the incident. In a short while they were able to contact the hospital and to their surprise (and relief!) , it was the victim's sister who was on the other line. The U.S.-based nurse was so shock to what she had heard & later told everyone that she is okay.

The victim tried to check if they can still suspend the money transfer made at the Smart Money account, but they were told that the money has already been withdrawn.

I was told they are still trying ways to trace the perpetrators through the account number used for the the money transfer. It is also not confirm as of today if the incident was already officially reported to the authorities.