Beware when checking-in at KL hotels

Kota Kinabalu: Sabahans visiting Kuala Lumpur are warned to keep strict watch on their luggage when checking into or out of hotels as several theft syndicates are at work.

Especially, never leave your luggage unattended while sorting out matters at hotel reception counters.

Hotel closed-circuit television footages have revealed two organised foreign gangs that have been preying on rich hotel guests in several states over the last two years.

Polices say there are more gangs, including one local, that have the hotels at their mercy.

Aside from South Americans, the other gangs come from Philippines and the Middle East and use means such as sleight of hand to steal money from unsuspecting hotel staff and daring theft of suitcases in hotel lobbies. Some impersonate Interpol officers.

The two foreign gangs - Colombians and Peruvians - captured on CCTV, specialise in targeting luggage that contains cash and valuables.

It is learnt the four-man Colombian gang and the Peruvian trio often trail their victims from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to their hotels.

The Colombians were captured on CCTV taking a suitcase containing cash and valuables from right under the noses of their victims, a Middle Eastern family, and hotel staff in July 2006 during the "Arab Season" when tourists from the Middle East flock here for the summer.

l The first footage shows the victims checking in, with the Colombians milling close by;

- This is followed by the gang distracting family members, with one of them shunting aside a young boy while another engaging the mother in a conversation;

- Next, with victims distracted, they cockle walk away;

- The final footage shows them fleeing the hotel.

The other CCTV footage we obtained shows a Peruvian trio, including a woman, at work.

One serial hotel robber, nicknamed Mr Ferrari, had brazenly picked on hotel staff since January.

He had, in one case, stabbed a hotel security staff who tried to question him. In other cases, he tied hotel staff with a telephone cord before robbing them. Mr Ferrari, so-called because he wears a Ferrari cap and a red T-shirt, is now lying low.

There are several gangs, mostly foreigners, operating at will in the city, Penang and Johor Baru.

As of January 2008, there have been 16 reported pick-pocket cases, 27 reported cases of hotels theft with 10 being in-room thefts and 17 lobby-thefts. Hoteliers had expressed grave concern over the alarming increase and bemoaned the lack of co-operation within the industry and police.

Kuala Lumpur CID chief Assistant Commissioner Ku Chin Wah confirmed the happening.

These are the police findings:

- Snatch thieves Mostly locals who are having a field day because their victims are mostly foreigners who return to their countries before investigations are completed.

Then, there are foreigners who do not want to go through the hassle of making a report. Furthermore, the culprits can only be charged if the victims are present in court to identify the stolen items.

- Stealing luggage from hotel lobbies The method of operation is to trail tourists from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport until they check in at a hotel, and then steal luggage at the lobby itself.

The grab is conducted right under the noses of the victims, hotel staff and security.

The victims are possibly identified at the airport based on the ride they hire at KLIA (those who hire) limousines are more well off).

It's a common understanding that big suitcases are usually filled with clothes, and people always carry their valuables in briefcases and hand luggage.

The culprits could also have local or international links, either in their home countries or at the KLIA, or both. They would receive tip-offs on victims to target.

- Snake Charmers This group, usually comprising a couple and a child, would strike up a conversation with their intended victims (foreigners) and ask to see their currency.

The culprits then launch into a story on how they are planning to visit the victims' country, and ask to see and feel the notes in their possession.

The victims would then show the currency they have and in the process, the culprits, by sleight of hand, steal some of the notes.

The victims would only realise their loss after the culprits walk away.

Victims often believe they were "hypnotised."

- Impersonating Interpol officers In this case, these thieves would walk up to tourists and demand to see their passports and belongings such as handbags.

After rummaging through the bags, the culprits bolt with whatever valuables they manage to take.