July 23, 2004
Crime Monitor European lady and gang smartly rob South Indian Salesman
A gang in the Ruwi area of Muscat smartly robbed a South Indian expatriate salesman. The expatriate salesman, who withdrew RO 3,000 from the Ruwi Branch of Oman International Bank (OIB), Ruwi branch was robbed in a smart manner by the gang comprising a lady, with European features and one or two men. When the salesman, a Tamilian, working for a local company was about to drive off with the cash after taking tea and snacks from a neighbouring cafeteria, a young beautiful lady appeared near the window and told him that his vehicle tyre was punctured.
Without knowing that the lady was trying to dupe him, the man came out of the vehicle, keeping the window glass open, examined the tyre along with the lady who pretended to cooperate in settling the problem. By that time one of the gang members took out the bag containing RO 3,000 kept inside the vehicle through the open window and disappeared. In the confusion the lady and her friends also disappeared, leaving the expatriate poorer by RO 3,000! A police has been registered at the adjacent police station.
Paradoxically enough the crime has apparently occurred near a police station at around 10.30 am "Everything happened within a few seconds and the culprits disappeared from the scene dramatically, said some of the witnesses. "The lady, who looked like a Russian was roaming around the Bank premises for the last two days. She was monitoring the movement of the man and the operation appears to be well planned." However, there are no eyewitnesses except the version given by the salesman himself.
It may be recalled that a major gang has been operating in the GCC countries, stealing sensitive credit and ATM card details in a smart way using high-tech electronic techniques. It is advisable that while withdrawing/carrying cash from bank, be careful. Always ensure that nobody is following you or monitoring your movements. The last bank robber took place in Mabellaw when a gang looted the Oman Arab Bank.
