Abu Dhabi: Vomiting on bank customers and stealing their money on the pretext of cleaning their soiled clothes is a new ploy being employed by pickpockets in Abu Dhabi, police warned.

Recently, a Bangladeshi man, who had withdrawn Dh10,000 from an ATM fell victim to this ploy. Somebody vomited him as he came out of the ATM booth. With his attention on cleaning his clothes, he only realised his money was stolen after the suspect was nowhere in sight, Colonel Ahmad Bin Saif bin Zaitoun Al Muhairi, acting director of the Capital Police Directorate, said.

Before the latest ploy came to light, thieves would tell unsuspecting bank customers that there is oil leaking from their vehicle. In an attempt to inspect the ‘leak’, victims would get out of their vehicles only to find that their valuables had been stolen while they were distracted.

Residents have been urged to immediately alert authorities as soon as they observe or are subjected a suspicious incident, especially when withdrawing cash.

Colonel Al Muhairi highlighted the importance of being cautious as these pickpockets usually watch their victims before striking.

The Abu Dhabi Police have launched a number of initiatives to protect bank clients and instruct them on safe practices when transporting and withdrawing cash.

These include keeping cash, laptops and other items out of sight inside vehicles — preferably in the glove compartment. Additionally, bank clients are told not to keep cash out of their sight and keep the money hidden under a jacket or similar location while transporting it to the vehicle.

Members of the public are urged to call the Aman (safety) hotline which offers information in Arabic, English and Urdu on 8002626 or by sending an SMS on 2828 or by visiting the www.aman.gov.ae website or calling 999.