Shoppers are advised to protect themselves as best they can from pick-pockets operating in the Auckland region over the past few weeks who Police believe may have got away with thousands of dollars from personal accounts.
Detective Sergeant Graham of Auckland City District's general fraud squad says he's investigating a number of complaints where shoppers from throughout the region must have been observed entering their PIN numbers into Eftpos machines on counters and minutes later have had their wallets stolen from their bag or person.
"It appears that, once the PIN number has been observed, the shoppers have their wallets and cards stolen," Mr Graham says.
"Within a short period that person's account has been accessed by the thieves and the shopper is left out-of-pocket, sometimes before they've even realised they've been robbed."
He says the complaints of theft have come from a range of people over the past few weeks but most have been elderly women.
ENDS
Issued by Noreen Hegarty
Auckland City Police Communications Manager
Ph 09 302 6947 or 0274-951-589
Website: www.police.govt.nz