Beware Ahmedabad! gangs want Diwali bonus from you

Vehicles & valuables
Last week there were half-a-dozen incidents where people lost their valuables in their parked vehicles. On Friday itself, the cops reported three such incidents in Madhavpura, Navrangpura and Ellisbridge, when people lost their valuables including pistol and cartridges worth Rs75,000 and cash over Rs4 lakh. The miscreants broke the glasses of cars and storage bin of two-wheelers.

According to cops, there are a number of gangs who are specifically targeting cars and two-wheelers. Cops say that these gangs prowl around the parking areas of residential and commercial places to strike.

Friendly strangers
There is a bunch of gangs which uses a well-known modus operandi. Two-three of them approach people sitting in their vehicle and misinform them that some amount of money-ranging from Rs100 to Rs1000-is lying on the ground. The victims get out of their vehicles to pick up the money. And just then, a gang member acts. He steals all that is lying in the vehicle and runs away. Recently, in Naranpura area, a businessman was robbed of Rs7 lakh cash in this fashion.

Fake accidents
Like the tricksters, there is another set of swindlers who fake accidents in order to rob people. One of the gang members would appear in front of you all of a sudden and claim that you have hit somebody. He would try to engage you in a heated argument and in the meanwhile, his aide would barge into your car and vanish with the valuables. Another gang that operates on the same lines asks for directions and his accomplice robs the valuables from your car.

Banking on
Another gang loots you right in front of your bank! If you plan to withdraw a big amount of money, make sure that somebody is accompanying you. Many people have been robbed of their cash in this fashion. Typically, two men on a bike would approach you on the road. They would snatch your bag and disappear in a jiffy.