Stay alert to counter chain-snatching menace

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Diwali festivities are over, and the high social and wedding season has arrived. So, pay close attention to cops' warnings about the nefarious ways in which chain-snatchers are operating.

One may be suddenly accosted by men identifying themselves as police officers who ask you to take off your valuables as there has been a rise in chain-snatching incidents. These men themselves may be criminals. Data shared by the Mumbai police suggest there is a steady rise in impersonation cases here, a report stated. A 75-year-old Khar woman was robbed of her jewellery worth more than Rs 2 lakh by criminals with this modus operandi. First, a bike-borne duo stopped the woman and her husband and asked her a question. They then claimed to be policemen and told her she should not be wearing jewellery as there was an uptick in theft. Just as she removed it and was putting it in her bag, they snatched the bag and fled.

Be wary and think logically. First of all, even if asked a question by strangers - the most common query tends to pertain to directions - keep your wits about you. While some may be genuine, others are a distraction. Keep your eye on the person asking you the question and hold your purse or valuables close to you. Watch out for an accomplice. If you suspect something shady, simply refuse to answer and walk away, even at the cost of seeming rude.

Alarm bells must peal as a policeman is extremely unlikely to tell you to remove your jewellery on the road. There may be some signboards in public places telling people to beware of chain-snatchers but the above scenario seems quite improbable. If somebody claims to be a cop but not in uniform, ask them for identification. Alertness, scepticism, awareness, cool and level-headed thinking will ensure you do not fall a victim to these cons.