Why ATM robberies happen in UAE despite safety measures
Most of the victims fail to describe the thief because of the speed in which thefts are committed. Major General Khalil Al Mansouri, deputy chief for criminal investigation
Despite intensified efforts made by police to prevent robberies targeting bank clients, the crime is happening frequently in various emirates in the country.
Police departments have blamed victims for the crime saying they are negligent while withdrawing cash from ATMs, banks and money exchanges.
Top officials said that during investigations it has been found that victims were not as careful as they ought to be, especially after carrying out big financial transactions.
Police have intensified awareness campaigns to educate banking clients on ways to protect their money and on following precautionary measures. They have deployed police patrols near banks areas and arrested large number of gang members of various nationalities who involved in such robberies.
In Dubai, Major General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, assistant commander-in-chief for criminal investigation, said that theft crimes in general have dropped in Dubai and unresolved theft crimes dropped from 460 to 332 last year, including robberies targeting bank clients.
The Dubai Police have also developed sophisticated cameras to monitor such robberies. He added that the crime prevention section at Criminal Investigation Department (CID) implements security to prevent the crime before it occurs.
“The police frequently receive reports of bank clients who have been followed by thieves who take advantage of the opportunity to booby-trap them and steal their money without them being aware of it,” said Al Mansouri.
Al Mansouri said that many thieves were arrested by undercover police officers while in action. The police advice companies to ensure that their agents will take responsibility.
“They are not supposed to allow them to go around with the money they withdraw or to talk to strangers or count money in front of them or to leave them in the car and get off somewhere, or to stop if anyone asking them to do so.”
“They must withdraw money and go directly to the place where they are supposed to deposit,” he added.
Despite the fact that there is a drop in the number of theft cases reported, bank customers still remain at risk. Negligence or a small mistake after withdrawing money could encourage thieves to strike and steal their money.
“Most of the victims also fail to describe the thief because of the speed in which the thefts are committed,” he said.
In Sharjah, Ibrahim Al Ajill director of CID at the Sharjah Police, said a campaign named ‘Be Cautious’ was launched in the beginning of this year and it educates clients not to leave cash in the car and also to look around to check for suspicious movement of people. The Sharjah Police have arrested nearly 100 gang members during the first quarter this year and the crime rate has been reduced by 7.24 per cent, which recorded 261 crimes including thefts and robberies.
He urged victims to inform police when exposed to any such crimes for quick response. The public can call on 800151 or send an SMS to 7999.
Col Abdullah Saif Al Matorushi, deputy director of operation room in Ajman, said that in a campaign the police advised bank clients to remain cautious and not to respond to strangers who knock at the car windows or spit on their faces.
“When a complaint is received at operation room, the CID carries out comprehensive investigation.”
He added that the Ajman Police arrest gang members involved in the ATM robberies within 24 to 48 hours of committing crimes and so no cases remain unresolved in the emirate.