Police warning over 'jet-set' thieves

Police are warning Londoners to watch out for an international gang of thieves that has been stealing thousands of pounds from City workers.

Following their unsuspecting victim down the street they create a distraction by throwing food over his clothes.

Then one gang member, apologetic and smartly-dressed, offers to help clean him up. He is taken into a pub and asked to take off his jacket so the mess can be cleaned off.

In a split second, the crooks switch an envelope full of cash which the victim is carrying for another one full of bank leaflets, and walk off unsuspected. The elaborate hoax has seen the six-strong gang travel the world targeting men and women who withdraw large amounts of cash from banks or building societies.

Police believe the six have robbed victims using the same technique in other major cities - including Zurich, Madrid, and Johannesburg. In the past six weeks in the City they have struck at least six times and netted a total of £24,000. Police fear there are many more victims too embarrassed to come forward.

Detective Inspector Ollie Shaw, from Bishopsgate CID, said: "They use the money to fund their jet-set crimewave - paying for hotels and flights anywhere in the world.

"Over the past three summers we have seen a significant increase in distraction offences here, with organised gangs targeting the City and West End, frequently making off with several thousand pounds from a single theft.

"This is a crime that can happen to the most security-conscious person. The thieves are incredibly deft in their operation and will often steal a victim's cash while leaving the envelope intact.

"They work in groups of two or more and will invariably dress to fit their environment. We advise anyone who makes a large cash withdrawal to avoid becoming a victim by placing their money somewhere hard to reach. Their victims are highly-intelligent City workers who often feel silly that they have been conned and, because there is little chance of recovering the money, they do not come forward and report the crime."

One such victim is John who did not want to reveal his full identity. He admitted that initially he was reluctant to report the theft of £4,000 cash because he felt stupid at having been conned.

"I was in the Halifax in St Mary Axe in Bishopsgate at lunchtime to withdraw £4,000 to pay the builders. The cash was given to me in a brown envelope, which I placed in my folder," he said.

"After making a second withdrawal in Lloyds Bank, I was walking down the street to a meeting when I felt something sticky hit me on the back of my jacket. When I turned around to see where it came from another man seemed to have been hit, too.

"He didn't speak very good English, he pointed that it came from the pub and urged me to follow him inside. While we were cleaning ourselves up I placed my folder - with the envelope of cash - on the bar.

"Then suddenly the other man turned and disappeared into the crowd. I remember thinking it was a bit strange but as the envelope was still in my folder I went on to my meeting.

"When I opened the envelope later it was stuffed full of Halifax and Lloyds leaflets. After I realised I had been robbed and there was no way of getting the money back I felt pretty stupid and didn't think I would report it to the police.

"But I changed my mind and when I told the police they knew exactly what had happened. I felt better knowing that I wasn't the only one caught out."

City of London police are now working with the British Bankers Association and Building Society Association to tackle the problem, and will alert customers by placing posters warning of the ploy in banks and building societies.