JEDDAH: Despite persistent crackdowns by security authorities on criminals and illegal residents in Jeddah, thieves who specialize in snatching people’s wallets continue to thrive in the city.
These criminals, mainly of African origin, normally target expatriate residents. After getting hold of people’s IDs and other important documents that they have in their wallets, the thieves even dare to negotiate with their victims. They would try to extort as much money as possible to return the loot to their rightful owners.
The thieves generally follow their targets near banking outlets and in crowded places.
“These crooks inform their victims that they have got their iqamas as if they are doing a great service,” said one recent victim.
They demand between SR1,500 and SR2,000 to return an iqama, and SR500 for a driving license. Most victims comply with their demands just to avoid the hassle of getting their documents replaced through official channels.
The closure of the so-called Somali market in Sahifa district, south of Jeddah, has not helped decrease the number of crimes being committed by these gangs, Al-Madinah newspaper said in a report. The thieves have now moved to Sabeel district.
“I lost my wallet containing my iqama and SR1,500 in cash. I was told by my acquaintances that my iqama would end up in the Somali market, but when I went there I found it closed. A teenager asked me whether I had lost anything. When I said yes, he took me to the new market in Sabeel,” Hassan, a victim, told Al-Madinah.
“I asked a man about the possibility of getting my lost wallet. Initially he refused to help but when I insisted he took my mobile number and said he would call me back. After three days he called saying he had found my iqama and would return it if I was willing to pay SR1,500. He explained to me where I should go to collect the iqama but warned me against informing the police. When I reached the place I found five young men waiting. I gave them SR1,500 and got my iqama back, but there was no trace of the SR1,500 that was in my wallet,” Hassan said.
Abdullah, another victim, said he lost his iqama when a gang attacked him in front of a bank. “After a few days I received a call from a man telling me that he had found my iqama and would return it if I paid him SR1,500,” he said.
The gang often changes its modus operandi, including the time and location of dealing with victims, to avoid arrest.
Abdullah said the thieves carry out their criminal acts as if they are “safe and protected.”
The gangs employ young men, especially drug addicts, to go around busy markets on motorbikes to snatch wallets and purses. Car washers in the street are also involved in the racket.
Maj. Mohammed Al-Hussein, spokesman for the Passport Department in Makkah province, said security officers would continue their campaign to flush out these criminals from the country. He said the thieves live in underdeveloped residential districts to avoid being caught.
According to a recent study, 47.4 percent of crimes being committed by expatriate workers in the Kingdom take place in Makkah province, followed by Riyadh (28 percent). Al-Jouf region has the lowest crime rate in the country. The phenomenon of overstaying Haj and Umrah visas is believed to be the main reason for the high rate of crime in Makkah and Madinah.
