Hyderabad, August 26: With attention diversion gangs from Tamil Nadu striking at will, the city police have asked the public to be cautious while moving about with large amounts of cash.
The gangs target people coming out of banks with cash and divert their attention to relieve them of their valuables.
Explaining the operation of the tricksters, Additional Commissioner of Police (crimes) Narasimha Reddy said the offenders follow people coming from banks on two-wheelers. If the victims are travelling on a car/ motorcycle, the offenders stop them at traffic islands or roadside and tell them that oil is leaking from behind or that their rear tyre is deflated or some currency notes have fallen from their pockets.
When the victim gets down from the car to check, the offenders snatch the bag containing cash or jewellery from the vehicle within seconds and disappear.
If a victim is walking from the bank, the tricksters throw ink or filth on their shirt. When the victim is distracted, they forcibly relieve him of the bag and run away.
Similarly, they lure the victim by throwing currency notes and when he/she tries to pick up the notes, they snatch the bag and flee, Narasimha Reddy said.
The police have also advised people not to leave the cash bag in the dickeys of parked two-wheelers or in cars.
–Agencies–