TABANAN

Police have warned Tabanan to beware of a new “hypnotist” scam, following an incident in which a Penebel woman claimed she had been tricked into giving two women and a man in a passing car Rp1 million (US$112) and a ring valued at Rp500,000.

Ni Nyoman Suarti, of Jegu village, told police she had been walking from her garden to her house about 10.30am last Tuesday when a car with three people approached.

A man got out and offered her a statue of the Hindu God Ganesha.

She said she immediately, without wishing to, said she would pay to buy the statue for Rp1.5 million and went to her house to get the money.

Not having all the money in cash she gave the man a gold ring as well.

Later, realising what she had done, she reported the incident to police.