As if flying isn’t stressful enough, now worry about this too

I hate checking a suitcase when I fly, so I’m usually trying to look relaxed while hefting a too-heavy backpack through airport security like it’s a breeze (it’s not). This is a carefully orchestrated system, with my pockets empty and my book, phone, passport and wallet all strategically stashed for easy access.

So the news that thieves are targeting travellers at Vancouver International Airport is troubling. Richmond RCMP are investigating a string of thefts with a common theme: thieves distract their victims in an attempt to rob them.

These techniques include dropping a five- or ten-dollar bill on the ground and claiming that it was dropped by the victim; damaging part of a vehicle owned by the victim to lure them out to survey the damage; and spraying paint, ketchup, or spilling a beverage on the victim’s clothing,explained RCMP Corporal Dennis Hwang.

Along with the thefts at the Vancouver airport, Hwang said the RCMP has recently found similar crimes in Richmond with victims who have left bank machines, but the crimes were not perpetrated by the same criminals.

What is distraction theft?

“It’s a bit of sleight of hand - you’re focusing on one thing, and your attention is lessened on protecting your belongings,” Hwang said.

“You picked up your luggage, and suddenly somebody says ‘hey, it looks like you have a stain on your shirt’…it looks like blood but it’s actually ketchup, so they’ve purposely sprayed ketchup on your back to distract you. So you take off your coat, or turn around to look at it. In the meantime you put down your laptop bag, your suitcase, your purse or whatever to check it out, and it’s gone, it’s stolen.”

“That’s what makes distraction thieves good at what they do,” Hwang said.

How do they choose their victims?

“This crime group, through observation, has determined which people look like they would have valuables worth taking," Hwang said.

Their luggage looks expensive, or they might be wearing an expensive watch, or the shoes they wear or the clothes they wear give them some indication that it might be worthwhile to steal from them.”

What are they stealing?

“It’s possessions like purses or laptop bags or what’s commonly known as a man-bag or a murse,” Hwang said.

“So not your entire suitcase stolen, but these are very specific, more personal bags that somebody would carry passports or currency.”

How to reduce the likelihood of such a theft?

“Carry a little bit of cash here, a little bit in your purse, a little bit in your pocket, a little bit in this jacket pocket, so if you’re a victim, the impact will be lessened,” Hwang said.

One thief was caught?

Yes. “He was caught by our airport crime unit. He was charged, convicted and deported, he’s a non-Canadian.”

Is this just happening in Vancouver?

No. Those types of crime groups, they work in an area, and then they go, Hwang said.

“They might go to a different airport, they might go to a different country, they might go to a ferry port instead, or a place that has cruise ships. They’re very mobile. They might work in an area for a while, and when there’s too much attention by the police they might scram and go to a different location, so that’s what is good in this case, we did make an arrest. They move so easily, it’s sometimes difficult.”

How can I protect myself?

Flying can be difficult at the best of times, so suddenly finding yourself without cash or your identification cards at the airport can add a layer of stress and expense.

• Make an attempt to carry cash separately from your wallet or purse

• Be aware of your surroundings

• When travelling be cognizant of your belongings at all times

• Contact the police immediately if you observe anything suspicious

• If you travel with a partner, divide your luggage so you have half of each person’s belongings in each suitcase.