MANILA, Philippines – A complaint has been filed at the office of the National Bureau of Investigation's Environmental and Wildlife Protection Investigation Division over a scam involving the controversial "tuko" (gecko) buy-and-sell market.

"Engineer France" (not his real name) said a group of individuals tricked him into paying a large amount of money for a gecko.

France said he was lured to participate in the illegal trade after hearing rumors that geckos sell for millions of pesos.

"Kahit saan ako magpunta, balitang-balita at talagang madaming naghahanap," said France.

His search for geckos ended when he met a contact in Bukidnon who was willing to sell him a gecko.

While the seller originally priced the gecko at P1 million, France said he was able to bring it down to P300,000.

When France met with his contact, he had no idea he was being conned.

"Iba 'yung may hawak ng tuko at iba 'yung magre-receive ng pera. Nung maiabot ko ang pera, nagtakbuhan na sila," sabi ni France.

The incident led France to seek assistance from police.

"Ibinulgar ko ito para hindi na marami ang mabiktima," he said.

Meanwhile, authorities encouraged the public to alert police when encountering con artists.

Speculations have been circulating that enzymes produced from the geckos' gall bladders can cure diseases, sparking the illegal trade.
DOH has earlier dismissed rumors that geckos can cure AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).

DOH spokesperson Dr. Eric Tayag has also warned the public that eating geckos may cause food poisoning. -- Report from Maan Macapagal, ABS-CBN News