Victor Layao (CONTRIBUTED)
A 20-year-old woman from Mindanao and her Cebu-based aunt were the latest victims of a con artist and pickpocket who offered to help the woman look for a job in Cebu City.
But it was too late when Rachelle found out that Victor Layao already ran away with her P1,000 cash and another P500 from her aunt Cathy.
Layao, who introduced himself as Jeoffrey Ybanez, left the two women and another companion at the parking area of Cebu Daily News along S. Osmeña Road and the corner of Kaoshiung Street in Cebu City about 4 p.m. on Thursday.
¨At first, I refused (to give him money). I told myself this is just another modus operandi,¨ said Rachelle.
However, she ended up handing a P1,000 bill, the only money she had with her, to Layao after the suspect also convinced Cathy to hand him a P500 bill.
Cathy, a Zamboanga native now resides in Mandaue City. She is helping Rachelle, who arrived from Zamboanga del Sur last week, find employment in Cebu.
Rachelle said Layao, who is in his 40s, had told her that she needed to shell out cash for her uniform.
He repeatedly asked for the money so he could pay for the uniform, which she needed when she starts work on Friday.
“That was the only money I had. My parents borrowed it and sent it to me for use in applying for a job,” Rachelle told CDN in Cebuano.
Rachelle narrated that Layao approached her, Cathy and Kristine while they were at the parking area of a mall in Cebu City to ask for directions.
Kristine, 18, of Carmen Bohol, is Cathy’s neighbor in Mandaue City. She went with the two because Cathy was also helping her comply with requirements for a job she applied for in a grocery store in Mandaue City.
While they spoke, Rachelle said that Layao convinced them to come with him to the North Reclamation Area where a factory that is in the process of hiring employees was located. While they boarded a jeepney to the NRA, Kristine secretly took a picture of Layao.
¨Cathy told me that it (taking Layao’s picture) may come to use if ever he will escape with our money,¨ said Kristine.
When they arrived at the NRA, Rachelle said Layao left them at the CDN parking area along S. Osmeña road while he took her biodata for submission to the factory that he earlier mentioned.
“I gave my requirements because I was unaware of what the company (CDN) where he brought us stands for. I am not from here,” a teary-eyed Rachelle said.
When he returned a few minutes later, Layao asked for money from Rachelle to pay for her uniform so she could already start work on Friday.
Rachelle said Layao left them again after he took their money and never returned. The group sought help from CDN personnel who also accompanied Cathy to the Mabolo Police Station to have their concern recorded on the police blotter.
Rachelle and Kristine remained at the CDN office.
Cathy showed police the picture that Kristine took of the suspect.
Police were the ones who identified Layao from their rogues’ gallery.
Rachelle said she felt very sorry for her parents, who borrowed the money to send to her, which she freely gave to a con artist.
Wringing her fingers tightly, Rachelle said she still hoped authorities can capture Layao and have her money back./By UP Cebu Intern Morexette Marie Erram
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