Paraphilia
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Reading through travel and government safety websites reveals some of the burglary and pickpocket methods used by gangs targeting travellers. If you want to protect yourself and avoid becoming a victim of theft then by all means familiarize yourself with the criminal's methods and techniques.
I've paraphrased much of this from http://www.osac.gov (Overseas Security Advisory Council). It's written for Americans traveling overseas, so apologies for it's slightly egalitarian tone.
Pickpocketing
Most pickpocketing incidents occur at public transportation sites. At train stations, where many people are vulnerable and carrying cumbersome luggage and other articles, groups of thieves inconspicuously surround a victim creating a "false crowd." The victim is jostled and the wallet is lifted, money removed or other valuables taken.
Crowded public buses, subways and trams attract pickpockets as well. If you recognize that you are being pickpocketed, make a lot of noise, scream, or shout. The attention often will scare the criminals away, as undercover police ride public transportation to catch pickpockets and thieves. Recently, someone realized that they were being pickpocketed and shouted out. The bus driver, knowing there was an undercover police officer aboard, stopped the bus and refused to open the doors until the criminal could be apprehended.
Cell phones and purses are also a primary target for thieves. Be prepared to have a cell phone or purse yanked from your shoulder or pulled from your hand. There have been recent cases of laptop computers carried in shoulder bags and camera cases being taken in the same manner. Bags, cases and purses advertise the location of your valuables to potential thieves.
To reduce your chances of being targeted by pickpockets: do not carry open purses or backpacks with money or valuables that are easily accessed; Do not display large amounts of money; Separate money, credit cards, and other valuables; Do not carry them in one location on your person; packs that loosely fit around your waist are easily unhooked by thieves; Ensure that any visible money pouch cannot be easily removed.
Vehicle Theft and Carjacking
Targeted vehicles are primarily luxury cars, 4-wheel drives and minivans. Auto alarms, kill switches and steering wheel locking devices like the "club" slow down potential thieves, but determined or experienced thieves can easily defeat security devices.
If you must use a private vehicle, avoid high-end luxury vehicles and minivans. Park in guarded lots or garages and ensure your vehicle is locked with nothing of value in view. The most effective deterrent is to leave the vehicle at home in the garage and use taxis or public transit systems, both of which are cheap and reliable.
Thieves prefer to take a vehicle that has the registration and keys in the car and have various carjacking techniques. A popular ploy is the "bump." A vehicle gently bumps your car from behind. This incident forces you to leave your vehicle, hopefully with the keys in the ignition, to inspect the possible damage. At this point, the criminals overtake the driver and steal the car. If you feel you must leave your vehicle, turn off the ignition, remove the keys and place them in an unidentifiable place on your person. Set or activate any security devices and take your cell phone. It is better to leave the scene if you suspect that you are the victim of this trick. Write down the tag number as you leave.
Another popular way to steal a car is the "point at the tire" method. A car pulls alongside your vehicle and the other driver or passenger gestures toward your front tire, or other part of the car, indicating a possible problem. If you do not stop, the vehicle drives away. They count on you stopping at some point and checking your vehicle. If the owner does stop to inspect the car, two or more people appear, and the owner is pushed aside and the thieves escape with the vehicle.
In one recent incident, upon stopping at a remote gas station, a driver reported he was observed closely by locals. After departing the station, he was followed by another vehicle. This vehicle then forced the driver's car off the road. The driver was violently pulled from the car by bandits armed with a gun and was terrorized with threats of physical harm when he resisted the theft of his expensive watch. He was severely beaten with a hammer and sprayed with pepper spray. The criminals drove off with the car, leaving the victim lying at the roadside.
This method usually involves prior surveillance and more than one vehicle. To prevent this type of auto theft, do not stop and pull over, or think that stopping at a nearby side street or gas station makes you safe. Drive to a known safe location or to a neighboring police station.
A popular way for a car thief to get keys to a vehicle is to watch the parking lots of local stores, frequently larger grocery chains. The thief follows a driver into the store and picks the keys from the owner's pocket and then takes the car. Thieves also take the less sophisticated approach of simply walking up to a stopped or parked car containing the motorist. The thief then intimidates the driver by attempting to open the front doors with force and then takes the car as the occupants flee.
It is also important to note that recent reporting indicates weapons are being more frequently used during such carjacking incidents.
Car Radios
At intersections or when a car is blocked by other cars, thieves have also been known to break the car window, grab valuables from the passenger or backseats and run.
Young thieves specialize in breaking car windows and stealing radios. These radios are then sold for a small portion of their value. The make of the car or quality of the radio appears to be less important than its accessibility and vulnerability. Removable radios are specifically targeted. Often, windows are broken even when the radio appears to already be removed, so the thief can search the vehicle for a possible hidden radio. If the radio is removable - remove it - do not hide it in the car. If there is a front plate, remove both parts.
Residential Crimes
Residential break-ins continue to be a problem but it should be noted that many of these burglaries are committed by thieves easily entering homes through unlocked doors. They either survey a home or randomly try front doors until they find one that is open. The thief enters the home, quickly gathers valuables near the front door, and departs. Americans have lost items from garages because they left their gate open and door unlocked.
Recent incidents involving American business families reflect a new trend: first floor burglaries. Burglars break into a home during the night through either an unsecured or poorly secured window or door. They remove valuables from the first floor, not disturbing the sleeping family on upper floors. Purses, briefcases, car keys, cars and electronic equipment are often taken and the family is unaware of the crime until the next morning.
Another more disturbing but clever burglary method that seems to be more common is for burglars to introduce a form of "sleep-inducing" gas into an unsecured bedroom window during bedtime hours. While occupants are under the influence of the gas, the home is forcibly entered and burglarized.
Credit Card Crime
Credit cards are growing in popularity and so is credit card fraud. Pickpockets often have a network of cooperative merchants who will immediately allow a large amount to be charged on a stolen card. Shoppers should only carry the credit cards they need, not let credit cards out of their sight and ask for copies of voided transactions or any copies not necessary for their transaction. Never write or attach a pin number on a credit or bankcard. Know the number your bank provides to report stolen credit cards immediately.
"I'd be far more worried about skimming - never let your credit card out of sight, and if you do travel abroad, look at newer types of CC's that are designed for such travel and use a unique PIN for each transaction, or the more common chip and pin cards typical of Europe." - Æhµ
Train Travel
On inter- and intra-country train travel, thieves have, in rare instances, used a variety of "knock-out" gases to incapacitate travelers while in private sleeper compartments and then take belongings from their person and accompanying baggage. In most cases, the gas is used on passengers already asleep.
It is recommended that money and valuables not be carried in one location. Passengers should also be cautious of overly friendly passengers. Drinks - soda or alcohol - or food should never be accepted from any stranger. The police suggest cracking the train window to diffuse the effects of possible gas.
Travelers should remember that thieves operate frequently in train stations and that pickpocketing or muggings can occur on the train as well as on the platform. Thieves seem to favor first class passengers for obvious reasons. Some will offer a ruse of wanting to shine shoes or sell trinkets to those seated in or standing outside first class cars. Peddlers may not themselves lift your wallet, but will signal to an accomplice the location and extent of your cash.
Taxis
Be sure to use "radio taxis" or those whose company phone number and name are printed on the light bar. Check to see that the taxi has a functioning meter. The best course is to negotiate the fare with the driver before entering any cab.
Mafia or jitney cabs may operate and congregate in other transportation venues such as train stations and airports. Most often, only the word "TAXI" will be on the light bar or the doors. The meter will be missing or claimed inoperable. Mafia cab drivers will charge up to ten times the normal fare.
"In NYC these are referred to as gypsy cabs" - Paraphilia
Seasonal Problems
Men, taking advantage of outdoor restaurants in the nice summer weather, place their suit jackets on the back of their chair. Organized groups of thieves move through restaurants and hotels looking for the wallet left in the jacket. The thief takes the seat behind the victim and quickly removes the wallet and other valuables.
The scams run from pickpocketing men's coats to theft of brief cases and purses left by the owner under the table. Purses should have the straps secured around the owner's arm or leg to prevent being removed. Other bags should also be placed where they cannot be removed.
"You can actually buy a small alarm device that signals an audible alarm when it is seperated from you by a certain distance. Attach to your coat or bag, or even your umbrella, if someone takes it the alarm will go off once they remove it past the set distance - or in case you forget your belongings." - Paraphilia
This is a basic guide, most of which can be prevented by common sense and a modicum of alertness on your part. But let's face it, thieves strike when you are not at your most alert, or can swarm you or take advantage of you. Some more specific examples of thievery while traveling abroad can be found here:
Thiefhunters in Paradise - http://bobarno.com/thiefhunters/
http://bobarno.com/thiefhunters/tag/airport/
http://bobarno.com/thiefhunters/theft-thwarter-tips/
Some good advice all around.
Seemed like a great place to post this. For some information for people who travel a lot.
I've paraphrased much of this from http://www.osac.gov (Overseas Security Advisory Council). It's written for Americans traveling overseas, so apologies for it's slightly egalitarian tone.
Pickpocketing
Most pickpocketing incidents occur at public transportation sites. At train stations, where many people are vulnerable and carrying cumbersome luggage and other articles, groups of thieves inconspicuously surround a victim creating a "false crowd." The victim is jostled and the wallet is lifted, money removed or other valuables taken.
Crowded public buses, subways and trams attract pickpockets as well. If you recognize that you are being pickpocketed, make a lot of noise, scream, or shout. The attention often will scare the criminals away, as undercover police ride public transportation to catch pickpockets and thieves. Recently, someone realized that they were being pickpocketed and shouted out. The bus driver, knowing there was an undercover police officer aboard, stopped the bus and refused to open the doors until the criminal could be apprehended.
Cell phones and purses are also a primary target for thieves. Be prepared to have a cell phone or purse yanked from your shoulder or pulled from your hand. There have been recent cases of laptop computers carried in shoulder bags and camera cases being taken in the same manner. Bags, cases and purses advertise the location of your valuables to potential thieves.
To reduce your chances of being targeted by pickpockets: do not carry open purses or backpacks with money or valuables that are easily accessed; Do not display large amounts of money; Separate money, credit cards, and other valuables; Do not carry them in one location on your person; packs that loosely fit around your waist are easily unhooked by thieves; Ensure that any visible money pouch cannot be easily removed.
Vehicle Theft and Carjacking
Targeted vehicles are primarily luxury cars, 4-wheel drives and minivans. Auto alarms, kill switches and steering wheel locking devices like the "club" slow down potential thieves, but determined or experienced thieves can easily defeat security devices.
If you must use a private vehicle, avoid high-end luxury vehicles and minivans. Park in guarded lots or garages and ensure your vehicle is locked with nothing of value in view. The most effective deterrent is to leave the vehicle at home in the garage and use taxis or public transit systems, both of which are cheap and reliable.
Thieves prefer to take a vehicle that has the registration and keys in the car and have various carjacking techniques. A popular ploy is the "bump." A vehicle gently bumps your car from behind. This incident forces you to leave your vehicle, hopefully with the keys in the ignition, to inspect the possible damage. At this point, the criminals overtake the driver and steal the car. If you feel you must leave your vehicle, turn off the ignition, remove the keys and place them in an unidentifiable place on your person. Set or activate any security devices and take your cell phone. It is better to leave the scene if you suspect that you are the victim of this trick. Write down the tag number as you leave.
Another popular way to steal a car is the "point at the tire" method. A car pulls alongside your vehicle and the other driver or passenger gestures toward your front tire, or other part of the car, indicating a possible problem. If you do not stop, the vehicle drives away. They count on you stopping at some point and checking your vehicle. If the owner does stop to inspect the car, two or more people appear, and the owner is pushed aside and the thieves escape with the vehicle.
In one recent incident, upon stopping at a remote gas station, a driver reported he was observed closely by locals. After departing the station, he was followed by another vehicle. This vehicle then forced the driver's car off the road. The driver was violently pulled from the car by bandits armed with a gun and was terrorized with threats of physical harm when he resisted the theft of his expensive watch. He was severely beaten with a hammer and sprayed with pepper spray. The criminals drove off with the car, leaving the victim lying at the roadside.
This method usually involves prior surveillance and more than one vehicle. To prevent this type of auto theft, do not stop and pull over, or think that stopping at a nearby side street or gas station makes you safe. Drive to a known safe location or to a neighboring police station.
A popular way for a car thief to get keys to a vehicle is to watch the parking lots of local stores, frequently larger grocery chains. The thief follows a driver into the store and picks the keys from the owner's pocket and then takes the car. Thieves also take the less sophisticated approach of simply walking up to a stopped or parked car containing the motorist. The thief then intimidates the driver by attempting to open the front doors with force and then takes the car as the occupants flee.
It is also important to note that recent reporting indicates weapons are being more frequently used during such carjacking incidents.
Car Radios
At intersections or when a car is blocked by other cars, thieves have also been known to break the car window, grab valuables from the passenger or backseats and run.
Young thieves specialize in breaking car windows and stealing radios. These radios are then sold for a small portion of their value. The make of the car or quality of the radio appears to be less important than its accessibility and vulnerability. Removable radios are specifically targeted. Often, windows are broken even when the radio appears to already be removed, so the thief can search the vehicle for a possible hidden radio. If the radio is removable - remove it - do not hide it in the car. If there is a front plate, remove both parts.
Residential Crimes
Residential break-ins continue to be a problem but it should be noted that many of these burglaries are committed by thieves easily entering homes through unlocked doors. They either survey a home or randomly try front doors until they find one that is open. The thief enters the home, quickly gathers valuables near the front door, and departs. Americans have lost items from garages because they left their gate open and door unlocked.
Recent incidents involving American business families reflect a new trend: first floor burglaries. Burglars break into a home during the night through either an unsecured or poorly secured window or door. They remove valuables from the first floor, not disturbing the sleeping family on upper floors. Purses, briefcases, car keys, cars and electronic equipment are often taken and the family is unaware of the crime until the next morning.
Another more disturbing but clever burglary method that seems to be more common is for burglars to introduce a form of "sleep-inducing" gas into an unsecured bedroom window during bedtime hours. While occupants are under the influence of the gas, the home is forcibly entered and burglarized.
Credit Card Crime
Credit cards are growing in popularity and so is credit card fraud. Pickpockets often have a network of cooperative merchants who will immediately allow a large amount to be charged on a stolen card. Shoppers should only carry the credit cards they need, not let credit cards out of their sight and ask for copies of voided transactions or any copies not necessary for their transaction. Never write or attach a pin number on a credit or bankcard. Know the number your bank provides to report stolen credit cards immediately.
"I'd be far more worried about skimming - never let your credit card out of sight, and if you do travel abroad, look at newer types of CC's that are designed for such travel and use a unique PIN for each transaction, or the more common chip and pin cards typical of Europe." - Æhµ
Train Travel
On inter- and intra-country train travel, thieves have, in rare instances, used a variety of "knock-out" gases to incapacitate travelers while in private sleeper compartments and then take belongings from their person and accompanying baggage. In most cases, the gas is used on passengers already asleep.
It is recommended that money and valuables not be carried in one location. Passengers should also be cautious of overly friendly passengers. Drinks - soda or alcohol - or food should never be accepted from any stranger. The police suggest cracking the train window to diffuse the effects of possible gas.
Travelers should remember that thieves operate frequently in train stations and that pickpocketing or muggings can occur on the train as well as on the platform. Thieves seem to favor first class passengers for obvious reasons. Some will offer a ruse of wanting to shine shoes or sell trinkets to those seated in or standing outside first class cars. Peddlers may not themselves lift your wallet, but will signal to an accomplice the location and extent of your cash.
Taxis
Be sure to use "radio taxis" or those whose company phone number and name are printed on the light bar. Check to see that the taxi has a functioning meter. The best course is to negotiate the fare with the driver before entering any cab.
Mafia or jitney cabs may operate and congregate in other transportation venues such as train stations and airports. Most often, only the word "TAXI" will be on the light bar or the doors. The meter will be missing or claimed inoperable. Mafia cab drivers will charge up to ten times the normal fare.
"In NYC these are referred to as gypsy cabs" - Paraphilia
Seasonal Problems
Men, taking advantage of outdoor restaurants in the nice summer weather, place their suit jackets on the back of their chair. Organized groups of thieves move through restaurants and hotels looking for the wallet left in the jacket. The thief takes the seat behind the victim and quickly removes the wallet and other valuables.
The scams run from pickpocketing men's coats to theft of brief cases and purses left by the owner under the table. Purses should have the straps secured around the owner's arm or leg to prevent being removed. Other bags should also be placed where they cannot be removed.
"You can actually buy a small alarm device that signals an audible alarm when it is seperated from you by a certain distance. Attach to your coat or bag, or even your umbrella, if someone takes it the alarm will go off once they remove it past the set distance - or in case you forget your belongings." - Paraphilia
This is a basic guide, most of which can be prevented by common sense and a modicum of alertness on your part. But let's face it, thieves strike when you are not at your most alert, or can swarm you or take advantage of you. Some more specific examples of thievery while traveling abroad can be found here:
Thiefhunters in Paradise - http://bobarno.com/thiefhunters/
http://bobarno.com/thiefhunters/tag/airport/
http://bobarno.com/thiefhunters/theft-thwarter-tips/
Some good advice all around.
Seemed like a great place to post this. For some information for people who travel a lot.
