Hypno Thief

Got this link from Andre, which made me think of The Ringmaster, the Spider-Man villain who wore a top hat with a spiral disc that he used to hypnotize people. Also remember other super-villains like Mesmero and the Purple Man.

Then there was that man I met in KL and it's just all too embarrassing to tell how I got conned into giving him several hundred ringgit. (My mom thinks I was hypnotized. I think I was just too scared and too stupid to do anything else.)

Anyway, here's the report about...

Hypnotism used in thefts
By Alcuin Papa, Philippine Daily Inquirer
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20080925-162884/Hypnotism-used-in-thefts

Criminals are now more creative in preying on their victims by employing new techniques which include, believe it or not, hypnotism, an anti-crime group has warned.

In an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Tessie Ang See of the Movement for the Restoration of Peace and Order (MRPO), warned the public on Thursday, particularly Chinese Filipino families, to be more vigilant, aware and informed of the new modus operandi used by criminal groups.

“Criminals are now more creative in perpetrating their dastardly acts, more so since these are difficult times. Chinoy (Chinese Filipino) families are especially vulnerable,” she said.

One of the newer and more unusual methods is the use of hypnotism, according to Ang See.

She explained that they received stories from three victims allegedly hypnotized into giving up their cash and valuables. According to Ang See, three women speaking in Mandarin roam the streets of Binondo and swoop down on unsuspecting Chinese females walking alone.

“Through some form of hypnotic suggestion, the victims follow the commands of the women,” Ang See said.

One victim was hypnotized into going back to her residence in Quezon City to retrieve her cash and valuables and return to Binondo to turn them over to the hypnotizers. Another victim even went to her bank to open her safe deposit boxes.

Another victim, Ang See said, felt weak after the perpetrators tapped her on the shoulder. She went home, took her valuables from her cabinet and turned them over to the thieves. She then fell asleep and awoke refreshed and puzzled as to how she agreed to give the thieves her valuables.

Ang See said they requested the victims to provide a sketch of the perpetrators to warn other potential victims and help police arrest suspects.