In this scam, the con artist slips a wallet into the bags or pockets of travelers at airports, train stations and other popular areas for travelers. The scammer then confronts the person about the “theft of his wallet”. He threatens to have the police arrest you if you do not pay a “settlement”. Often the con artist will work with another person who will say that they witnessed you taking the scammer’s wallet. If you pay them, they will let you go. If you refuse they will have the police arrest you.
Be aware that if this happens to you, it is likely that the whole thing was caught on video tape, especially if it happens at an airport.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/200404260036773.php
Beware of new scam in town
Dr Ibrahim Abdullah
2:41pm Monday Apr 26th, 2004
I just heard a few days ago that a new type of crime has surfaced in town. It goes something like this.
Somebody slips a handphone into your pocket. Sometimes it could be just a wallet with an identity card and a few ringgit. A few minutes later, the ‘owner’ comes up and confronts you, the ‘thief ’.
He makes a big commotion that you stole his stuff. You, caught unawares, are then pulled aside by the ‘owner’ for a settlement. You are intimidated and threatened that if you do not pay up the police will be brought in.
If you pay up, this ‘owner’ lets you go. If not, the police are brought in. Another strange thing is that there always seems to be a ‘witness’ to the your ‘theft’.