‘Honeytrap’ holdup gang busted in Caloocan; suspects lured victims with women

• Three alleged members of the Sputnik Gang were arrested in Caloocan City for a robbery scheme

• The suspects used a "honeytrap" modus operandi, where a woman would lure male victims before they were robbed by her male accomplices

• Police recovered a stolen wallet, phone, and an improvised pen gun from the suspects

• Authorities noted that most victims avoided reporting the crime out of fear of family members discovering their involvement with other women

Authorities in Caloocan City have apprehended three male suspects allegedly involved in a disturbing robbery scheme where unsuspecting victims were lured by a woman offering illicit services before being violently robbed by her male accomplices.

The trio, linked to the notorious Sputnik Gang, were arrested by the Northern Police District (NPD) following a tip-off and review of security footage, exposing a criminal operation that thrived on the victims’ fear of public shame.

The sophisticated modus operandi came to light after a recent robbery incident in Barangay 78, Caloocan City. According to the NPD, the scheme begins when a woman, acting as bait, approaches a solitary male victim under the guise of soliciting women.

Read also

Lawyer arrested in QC over ₱140K investment scam, faces multiple estafa complaints

Once the victim is led to an isolated area, such as a garage or parking lot, the three male suspects suddenly appear, surrounding and overpowering the target in a "mob-style" assault.

"Ang unsuspecting victim ay aalokin ng serbisyo ng babae," explained NPD District Director Police Brigadier Gen. Jerry Protacio. "Kapag kumuha yung lalaki ng babae, biglang may mga darating na lalaki, hoholdapin na ngayon yung biktima."

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage reportedly captured the moments leading up to one such assault, showing the three men surrounding a victim before leading him into a garage, where they stripped him of cash, mobile phones, and other personal valuables.

The suspects then dispersed, allowing the victim to leave.

Police Colonel Mike Gomez of the NPD Special Operations Group noted the chilling simplicity and effectiveness of the scheme, confirming the arrests were made shortly after the incident in the same barangay.

During the apprehension, authorities recovered key evidence, including the victim's cell phone and wallet, as well as an improvised pen gun, a knife, and a bullet from the suspects, identified only by their first names: Jonel (29), Raymond (40), and Billy (42).

Read also

Ambush on politician's convoy leaves three dead, including innocent civilians, in Midsayap, Cotabato

A critical factor that allowed this robbery ring to continue operating for some time was the victim’s profound reluctance to report the crime.

"Bakit yung ibang kalalakihan ay ayaw nang pumunta sa kapulisan?" questioned Police Colonel Angelito De Juan of the NPD Investigation Division. "Dahil nga pumatol kasi sila sa mga ibang babae. Halimbawa na haharap sila sa kapulisan at ire-report nila kung ano ang nangyari, ayun ang malalaman ng kanilang asawa at lalong mas mabigat ang problema."

This fear of family exposure—or "marital troubles"—proved to be the most effective shield for the criminals, enabling them to perpetrate the holdups without fear of immediate legal consequence.

The arrested individuals are now facing criminal charges for robbery. The NPD is continuing its investigation to locate and arrest the female accomplice who remains at large, emphasizing their commitment to dismantling criminal groups, especially those that exploit vulnerable individuals through morally compromising tactics.

This case serves as a stark warning about the evolving methods used by criminal syndicates to exploit both human vulnerability and social anxieties.

Read also

Man stabbed to death by partner of woman he was caught with inside neighbor’s bathroom

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable stories for all of the ordinary people in the country as today.

In other news, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Davao Oriental at 9:43 a.m. on Friday. PHIVOLCS issued a "destructive tsunami" warning, predicting life-threatening waves over one meter above normal tide levels. Coastal residents in seven provinces across Visayas and Mindanao were strongly advised to evacuate immediately to higher ground. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center also alerted nearby countries, including Indonesia and Palau, to the potential for hazardous waves.

Still in other news, a lawyer was arrested in Quezon City for allegedly duping victims through fake investment offers. She reportedly took ₱140,000 from a couple, promising weekly profits of ₱5,600. Police said she had previously been jailed for a similar case but went into hiding after posting bail. Authorities urge other victims to file complaints to elevate the case to syndicated estafa.

Source: KAMI.com.gh