Hyderabad: A three-member attention diversion gang struck again on Sunday, stealing mobile phones from at least five people in Malkajgiri. The incident, one of many reported this year, was caught on surveillance cameras installed near a local shop.
In one case, two offenders entered a shop where they distracted a customer by claiming a currency note had fallen. As the victim bent down to pick up the note, one of the offenders swiftly stole the mobile phone from the customer’s pocket. The thief then walked away quietly, while the second offender followed him. The duo fled on a motorcycle with a third accomplice waiting nearby.
Malkajgiri Police have registered cases and launched an investigation into the gang’s activities.
This year has seen a concerning rise in such thefts across Hyderabad. In March 2024, a similar gang stole phones from passersby in Ameerpet, using nearly identical tactics. On April 17, another group targeted individuals in Koti, making away with phones from four people. In July, a theft was reported in Kukatpally, with the culprits employing diversion techniques to snatch valuables.
Law enforcement agencies have stepped up their efforts to crack down on such gangs, but the incidents continue to plague Hyderabad’s citizens, particularly in busy marketplaces and public areas.
