Criminal Modus Operandi

Presented by:The Intelligence Service

National Bureau of Investigation

Objective The objective of this presentation is to

inform the audience regarding the various known modus operandi currently employed by organized crime groups in effectively and efficiently carrying out their nefarious operations

This presentation however does not fully cover all the various criminal modus operandi currently being used, but rather tackles those most common M.O.s that will be encountered by the average person in their lifetime

Modus Operandi - Definition Latin standing for METHODS OF

OPERATION or in law enforcement parlance, M.O.

M.O. are simply techniques and methods needing little planning and effort to execute on the grounds that it in itself are set patterns of movement and thinking, making the execution of a particular crime proceed quickly and efficiently minimizing the amount of detection and apprehension on the part of the criminal elements involved.

Different types of Modus Operandi (Philippine Setting) Bus Conductor Impersonator

A modus operandi (M.O.) employed by petty con artists targeting non-air conditioned buses plying the Metro Manila-Provincial routes

The M.O. usually involves the petty crook boarding the bus dressed in attire almost similar to that of a bus conductor (grey or beige colored pants and white polo buttoned shirt), and proceeding to collect bus fare from passengers while the real conductor is either giving out tickets to passengers in the rear or serving as barker.

Usually, when the con artist is immediately given a large bill for payment (=P= 500) by a passenger, he will immediately disembark from the bus with his ill gotten gain. Leaving the dupe passengers staring in surprise.

Different types of Modus Operandi (Philippine Setting) Laglag barya

Usually involves two to sometimes three individuals specifically targeting a particular victim within a moving public utility bus, jeepney or train

One of the suspects will distract the intended victim by pretending to accidentally drop several coins on the vehicle floor, relying on the victims kind nature to bend over and help retrieve said coins

At this juncture, one of the suspects will pick the victims pocket or bag while he or she is distracted

When the pickpocket artist have surreptitiously stolen the victims wallet or purse, he will discreetly pass this to his fellow cohort whose job it is to disembark with the loot so as to avoid detection and apprehension.

Different types of Modus Operandi (Philippine Setting) Dugo-Dugo

This involves the crime syndicate using a voice artist to call via landline the victim’s home and ask for the house maid by name

When the house maid identifies herself, the voice artist will pretend to be the master/mistress of the house whose voice changed slightly on account that they met with a near fatal vehicular accident

The house maid will be instructed to bring all her master/mistresses money or jewelry to a pre designated area and be handed without question to a person answering the description given by the caller

In some instances, the phone voice will instruct the house maid to bring along the children to the rendezvous place.

Different types of Modus Operandi (Philippine Setting) Ativan gang

Usually involves a member of the gang to befriend and gain the trust of the intended victim

After gaining the victims trust, he or she will invite the victim (usually male) to continue their conversation in a nearby snack bar or restaurant

During the middle of the conversation/snack, the crime suspect will surreptitiously slip into the victims food or drink an “Ativan” pill, rendering the victim unconscious

While unconscious, the victim will be deprived of his wallet and jewelry and at times, his clothes

The drug often affects the victims memory, making detailed recollection of the incident difficult.

Different types of Modus Operandi (Philippine Setting) Salisi gang

The salisi gang usually involves at least two (2) to a maximum of four (4) individuals, who will distract the intended victim or security personnel and the others to commit or carry out the theft

A case example: a victim who is dining alone in a restaurant may be negligent in placing his cell phone or wallet right besides his lunch/dinner plate on top of the dining table

The salisi gang members seeing this, will have one of their numbers distract the victim, the other to divert the attention of the other diners or that of the security personnel, while the other commits the theft and immediately leaves the premises.

Different types of Modus Operandi (Philippine Setting) Ipit Taxi Gang

Involves at least three (3) perpetrators utilizing either a stolen or fake taxi cab in order to dupe and rob unwary cab passengers

The driver perpetrator would often pick up a likely victim along a route on or near a darkened side street where his cohorts will be waiting

When the victim boards the taxi and gives his or her destination, the perpetrator driver will immediately take the route leading to a darken street where his cohorts in the cover of darkness, boards the taxi simultaneously from both sides of the cab passenger door, therefore helplessly pinching between them the victim for them to pick in their leisure.

Different types of Modus Operandi (Philippine Setting) Estribo gang

Name given to snatchers operating along the heavily congested roads of Metro Manila who often victimizes commuters on-board public utility jeepney

An estribo gang member will often pretend to be a harried commuter desperate for a ride to his destination, thus justifying his impromptu decision to hang on the jeepney’s boarding ramp and column (estribo)

While hanging on the estribo, he scouts each passenger within arms reach, and identifying a likely target, upon the jeepney’s next traffic stop, will snatch that persons jewelry, wallet or bag, then suddenly make his or their escape on foot and using crowd cover to elude pursuit.

Different types of Modus Operandi (Philippine Setting) Bangga kotse gang

Involves at least three perpetrators (all armed) who are intent on carjacking a victims expensive vehicle. The perpetrators are commonly called carjackers

The carjackers, will follow a victims vehicle for a certain distance, and after checking for the presence of police or private security in the area, will “accidentally bump” the rear end of the victims vehicle, causing the driver to stop the vehicle, disembark and inspect the damage

When the driver does disembark in order to inspect the damage, the carjackers will over power him or her and subsequently take possession of the vehicle and leave the driver and passengers behind. At times, the driver and passengers are taken to a certain distance before they are released by the perpetrators.

Different types of Modus Operandi (Philippine Setting) Basag kotse gang

A group of thieves who specializes in smash and grab operations, usually targeting laptops and other expensive electronic items often left inside a parked car

The target vehicle before having its windows smashed will be cased by one of the suspects who will signal if the vehicle is worth robbing

Similar to the bukas kotse gang but differing in their M.O. with regards to stealth, the basag kotse gang often utilizes a steel pipe or retractable baton in order to smash to pieces the car door window of the target vehicle

After smashing the car door window and gaining access into the car, they will immediately grab and run with their loot taking only 15 to 25 seconds to carry out the crime.

Different types of Modus Operandi (Philippine Setting) Donut gang

Is the name given to a group of thieves specializing the theft of spare tires of high end Sports Utility Vehicles while said vehicle is parked inside a multi-level parking lot of a mall or department store

The gang, who are usually cruising on board their own SUV or four door sedan, would often go to various mall parking lots in order to conduct target spotting

That after they determined a potential target SUV, they will cruise the area for a number of times in order to determine if the immediate area was cleared of witnesses and security elements

Once they determined that the area is cleared, two members of the gang will disembark in order to steal the SUV spare tire, while one serve as look out and keeps the car trunk/rear door open, while the other keeps the vehicle engine running for a quick getaway

When the prize is secured, they just cruise away in order to find a new potential victim.

Different types of Modus Operandi (Philippine Setting) Hablot gang

Actually defines the actions of individual criminals whose target usually involves victims who are on board public utility vehicles and whose personal possession are within arms reach of the perpetrators

The victim, usually either a jeepney or bus passenger (non-air con) on their way to work or going home, and are usually seated either at or besides the bus window or has an appendage resting on the jeepney’s windowsill, with their valuables such as jewel necklace, watches or bags exposed

When the PUJ or PUB makes either a stop to pick up or allow a passenger to disembark or just a traffic stop, the perpetrator strikes by extending their hand and arm thru the vehicle window and suddenly snatching the victims watch, bag or jewelry then hastily escaping the scene of the crime.

Different types of Modus Operandi (Philippine Setting) Kotong

The common victims of this MO are foreigners, balikbayans and their dependents who are lured into exchanging their foreign currencies into pesos at a rate higher than the prevailing exchange rates. The group/individual approaches and offers a tempting high rate to the would-be victim.

During the transaction, which usually takes place outside or right in front of a foreign exchange shop, the equivalent peso is counted before the victim three times. Initially, the victim is allowed to count the money he will receive to make him feel confident that he will get the exact amount for his foreign currency.

Different types of Modus Operandi (Philippine Setting) Kotong..continuation

After, a recount is done by one of the perpetrators spreading the pesos in his palm to cover his fingers that are folding a portion of the bunch. The suspect distracts the attention of the victim, often by telling him to be extra careful of robbers, while wrapping the bundle of money in a newspaper or placing it inside a paper bag. The victim eventually discovers that he was shortchanged when he counts the money while inside a car or upon arrival at his house or hotel.

Different types of Modus Operandi (Philippine Setting) Dura boy

Public transportation terminals, jeepneys, and buses This tactic is usually carried out by a group of three. The

first member informs the victim that a man/woman has spit on her sleeve and back.

The victim will be distracted trying to wipe the spit on her sleeve while one of the other members of the gang steals the victim’s valuables, usually a wallet or a mobile phone.

Different types of Modus Operandi (Philippine Setting) Akyat Bahay Gang

The Akyat-Bahay is the most common robbery scheme in the Philippines. This crime is usually orchestrated by three to five people.

These thieves target homes that are unoccupied especially during the holiday season (i.e. Christmas, Holy Week, and Summer Vacation) or during severe weather conditions (i.e. typhoons) when members of the household can barely notice break-ins into their homes.

The gang also employs children who can easily enter homes illegally through tight spaces.

Different types of Modus Operandi (Philippine Setting) Pitas Gang

The crime is usually committed against unwary passengers of non-airconditioned provincial and city operation buses, jeepneys, motorized passenger sidecars (tricycles), and schools

Thieves typically target passengers seated near the windows of public buses, jeepneys, and tricycles. Among the items usually snatched by thieves include wrist watches, rings, necklaces, mobile phones, and hand bags.

Another variant occurs when a group of thieves grab the ears of women and young girls and steal their earrings or snatch their bracelets from their wrists.

Different types of Modus Operandi (Philippine Setting) Zest-O Gang

This scheme is usually executed by three members. One of the perpetrators wears a bus conductor’s uniform and ask their potential victim “ilan ho” or “how many?” The unsuspecting victim assumes that the man is the bus conductor and responds with the amount of fare the victim should pay.

The criminal then forcibly hands the victim a Zest-O juice or any food item and demands that the victim pay for the item. The two accomplices will vouch that the victim ordered from the vendor. The victim will then be forced to pay up.

Different types of Modus Operandi (Philippine Setting) Baraha Gang

Usually operates in restaurants, shopping malls, department stores, supermarkets

Members of this gang are typically waiters and cashiers who target credit card users in business establishments.

Once the victim gives his credit card to the waiter/shop attendant the card is swiped to a skimming device that will capture the victim’s credit card account.

Different types of Modus Operandi (Philippine Setting) Besfren Gang

Usually operates in bargain malls and open-air markets This gang targets shoppers who check out items sold in

stalls (i.e. watches, jewelry, mobile phones, and other electronic gadgets).

One of the gang members stands next to the victim and borrows the item being checked, pretending that he/she is a friend of the victim.

The thief will quickly flee the stall premises bringing with him/her the said item. The store owner/attendant naturally assumes that the victim is an accomplice and will ask him/her to pay for the item.

Different types of Modus Operandi (Philippine Setting) Tutok Kalawit Gang

Usually operates in malls, sidewalks, schools, public buses, and jeepneys

Tutok-Kalawit involves a man or woman suddenly hugging a victim like they are old friends.

In truth, the con man or woman is discreetly poking a sharp object on the side of the victim while quietly telling him to turn over his cash and valuables.

Another variant of this criminal tactic would be two thieves accusing a victim of something bogus. The victim would naturally deny the charge and confront his accuser. The thieves would then ask the victim to show his/her ID. Since IDs are usually kept in wallets, thieves will grab the wallet from the victim and run away.

Different types of Modus Operandi (Philippine Setting) Budol-budol

Budol-Budol is a transaction scam principally involving a supposed bundle (budol) of cash that is actually padded inside with sheets of paper cut in the size of money. Only the exposed sides however are real money, everything in between are plain paper cuttings.

Budol-budol gang members are often described as sweet-talking, charismatic, and convincing. Other victims even report having been hypnotized by the group.

Different types of Modus Operandi (Philippine Setting) Budol-budol..continuation

Reports and stories of the Budol-budol operations vary from a balikbayan (returning overseas Filipinos) urgently needing a huge amount in Philippine Peso in exchange for his Dollars, to a stranger’s emergency offer to swap his bundle of cash with a mobile phone or an expensive piece of jewelry. After gaining the potential victim’s trust the two parties barter their items – the bundle of money for whatever product the to-be victim is peddling. Mobile phones and jewelry are the most commonly lost items. Some high profile cases involve rare paintings, expensive furniture and millions worth of checks to the Budol-budol gang. After the deal is made, the gang and the victim splits.

Different types of Modus Operandi (Philippine Setting) Budol-budol..continuation

Another, more sensational and dramatic variant of this crime is the use of fake gold bars, which the suspects use as bait for their victims. The ploy commonly used involves a Filipino treasure hunter or a Japanese survivor has knowledge of a secret Japanese fortune which was plundered by the retreating Japanese Army during World War II which is yet to be completely recovered.

A sample of the gold bar is shown to the would be victim for physical examination and since the gold bar actually looks genuine, an offer is made to sell the whole fortune by asking the victim to pay half the cost of the gold bars under terms and conditions agreed upon.

Different types of Modus Operandi (Philippine Setting) Budol-budol…continuation

One of the conditions is that the gold bars can be delivered or a map can be provided and brought to the site where the bars can be dug up. After the payment, the perpetrators will never show up and the victim will soon discover that the gold bars which were delivered or unearthed from the site are gold plated lead bars.

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