Housekeeper Arrested in Makati Condo for Theft of P1.76 Million Worth of Jewelry — Claims She Was Targeted by a "Scam Call"

Housekeeper Arrested in Makati Condo for Theft of P1.76 Million Worth of Jewelry — Claims She Was Targeted by a "Scam Call"

📌 On Friday, November 6, a 29-year-old housekeeper was arrested on theft charges after P1.76 million worth of jewelry and cash in US dollars went missing from the condo of her 79-year-old employer on H.V. Dela Costa Street in Barangay Bel-Air, Makati City, Metro Manila. The housekeeper claimed she was tricked by a phone call saying her employer had been in an accident, but police said this claim has not been verified.

■ What Happened
· According to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), the employer couple returned home at around 10 p.m. and found the front door broken.
· The housekeeper said a woman posing as a hospital staff member called to say the employer had been in an accident and told her to hand over the jewelry and cash to a motorcycle ride-hailing app rider. The Inquirer reported that she claimed to be a victim of a "dugo-dugo" scam.
· Under questioning, the housekeeper admitted that she broke down the door, took out the jewelry and handed it to the rider, and that she exchanged US dollars for pesos and sent the money to the caller.

■ Investigation and Current Status
· The missing jewelry was worth $28,200 (P1,763,910), including a $12,000 wedding ring, and cash in US dollars was also missing. The jewelry and cash have not been recovered.
· The housekeeper was apprehended by the building's security guards and Makati police on a charge of qualified theft, and police are investigating whether the call actually took place.

■ Tips for Residents and Travelers
· Police urged people who receive a call about a family accident or an urgent request for money to check directly with their family members and to use a pre-agreed verification code word.
· Do not hand over jewelry or cash to delivery riders or strangers, and treat any demand to "keep it a secret" as a sign of a scam.
· Keep valuables locked up separately, and verify the identity of anyone who helps with household chores.

■ Sources
Manila Bulletin (11/10), Inquirer (11/10)

■ Photos
· 1. Philippine National Police home security advisory graphic — Manila Bulletin
· 2. File photo · handcuffed hands — Inquirer