Some tricks never grow old.

Alleged members of a “dugo-dugo” gang carted away more than P1 million worth of valuables from a household helper after the latter fell for their tall-tale that her employers figured in an accident last Monday, authorities reported Tuesday.

But household helper Yolanda Basa, 46, a stay-in at 2003 Dagupan Street, Tondo, Manila, realized she got fooled by the sweet-tongued con-artists when she found her employers, Sonny and Estelita Cruz, at their residence — unscathed and healthy — after she got back from a meeting with the suspects, according to PO3 James Poso of the Manila Police District - General Assignment Section (MPD-GAS).

Poso said Basa, accompanied by her employers, personally went to the MPD-GAS to report that alleged members of a “dugo-dugo” gang duped the household helper of giving some P1,073,000 million worth of cash and valuables at around 3:20 p.m., Monday.

Basa told investigators that she received a call from the con-artists almost 30 minutes after her employers left their residence to meet with some friends in Quezon City.

One of the suspects, according to Basa, introduced herself as Estelita and told her that Sonny figured in an accident and instructed her to take the cash and valuables in the master's bedroom and take them to Balintawak, Quezon City, as alleged payment for the emergency treatment of her male employer.

As instructed, Basa took the Roman Numerical edition of Gucci Men's Wristwatch worth P20,000; a diamond studded Gucci Men's Wristwatch worth P28,000; a silver and gold Rolex wristwatch worth P280,000; a Channels Men's watch worth P5,000; a diamond studded Anne Klein ladies watch worth P15,000; a Gucci Ladies watch worth P15,000; pairs of white gold necklace, rings, bracelet and pendant worth P20,000; and assorted gold and silver jewelries worth P700,000.

The household helper met with a man, who allegedly posed as one of Estelita's friends, on Epifanio de los Santos Ave. in Balintawak, Quezon City, to hand over the valuables.

Upon returning to her employers’ house, Basa was surprised to find both Sonny and Estelita at home safe. She was then informed by the couple that she got victimized by members of a “dugo-dugo” gang.

During their investigation, Poso said they found out that the telephone number used by the suspects came from a public pay phone at 638 Favia Street, Barangay 57, Tondo, Manila.

He said they have already made the cartographic sketch of one of the suspects whom Basa met in Balintawak.