Bacolod City police director, Senior Supt. Pedro Merced, warned against "sweet talkers", especially strangers, yesterday following another incident of "budol-bodol" or swindling.

The latest incident involved a prominent Bacolod lawyer and civic leader who lost about P3 million in cash and jewelry to two unidentified persons at Burgos Street in the city Wednesday.

Sometimes it is hard to accept that most "budol-budol" victims who were lured by the swindler's bait had also aspired or were interested to get something bigger in return, Merced said.

The case of lawyer Luz Dato-Lacson, 79, who was victimized by the "Budol-budol" gang is no different from those of other victims who claimed they did not realize they had been swindled until they found their valuables replaced by worthless paper after a few hours of "conversation" with the suspects, Merced said.

Merced said he believes the "budol-budol" gang is ready to strike anyone whenever there is chance. To avoid them, do not give them a chance, and refrain from entertaining strangers dangling big amounts of money or propositions involving money.

Merced said the swindlers who victimized Dato-Lacson were well- trained "sweet talkers". He said they have sought help from the National Bureau of Investigation for facial sketches of the two suspects with the aid of the helper of Dato-Lacson.

Senior Insp. Ulysses Ortiz, Police Precinct 4 commander, yesterday said they already have the identities of the swindlers but refused to reveal them to the media.

He said he believes the ones who victimized Dato-Lacson is an organized group and are the same persons arrested by Police Precinct 8 last year for swindling.*DMG

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