Japanese robbed in Parañaque hotel after dating app meetup; one suspect nabbed
The arrested transgender suspect (Photo courtesy of SPD)
A supposed dating app meet-up turned into a violent incident after a Japanese national was allegedly duped, assaulted, and robbed by three transgender suspects inside a hotel room in Parañaque City on April 8.
Parañaque City Police chief Col. Nicolas Pinon identified the victim as Uri, 26, who was staying at Seaside Drive, Entertainment City, Barangay Tambo.
Police arrested one of the suspects, identified as Justine, while two others, known only as Riley and Kitty, managed to escape and are now the subject of a manhunt.
According to the victim, he met Riley through a dating app and agreed to meet at his hotel room. Riley later arrived with companions Justine and Kitty.
Once inside, the suspects allegedly stripped the victim and forced him to perform a sexual act. They then demanded P20,000 each, but the victim refused.
The situation escalated when the suspects allegedly assaulted him—kicking him and threatening him with a stun gun pointed at his face—forcing him to comply and agree to withdraw money.
Police said Justine accompanied the victim to an ATM, where Uri discreetly sought help by typing “Please help me” on his phone and showing it to a hotel receptionist.
The receptionist immediately alerted hotel security, and with the help of a Japanese interpreter, authorities were able to arrest Justine.
However, upon returning to his room, the victim discovered that the remaining suspects had fled and his belongings had been ransacked. Around 200,000 yuan and P9,000 in cash were reported missing.
Justine is now detained at the Parañaque police custodial facility and faces robbery charges.
Authorities have launched a manhunt for the two other suspects.