One interesting email circulating is this car jacking warning, alledgedly happening in UAE. Seems sensible, but.. its a fake.
Update - Thanks to Man in Muscat Snopes busts it as a myth/hoax. Makes sense.
But, if you've a motorbike or quad bike, especially a nice hog, do keep it behind a locked wall - they are being stolen (presumably re-exported somewhere) at an increasing rate of late.
here's the hoax email.
BEWARE OF PAPER ON THE BACK WINDOW OF YOUR VEHICLE--NEW WAY TO DO CAR - JACKINGS
Heads up everyone! You walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside. You start the engine and shift into Reverse.
When you look into the rearview mirror to back out of your parking space, you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window. So, you shift into Park unlock your doors, and jump out of your car to remove that paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view. When you reach the back of your car, that is when the carjackers appear out of nowhere, jump into your car and take off. They practically mow you down as they speed off in your car.
And guess what, ? I bet your purse is still in the car.
So now the carjacker has your car, your home address, your money, and your keys. Your home and your whole identity are now compromised!
BEWARE OF THIS NEW SCHEME THAT IS NOW BEING USED.
If you see a piece of paper stuck to your back window, just drive away. Remove the paper later..
Not your usual high standard of research Mr Dragon. Let's blame the end-of-term feeling that's sweeping Muscat at the moment. Check this site for more details: http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/carjack.asp
ReplyDeleteOf course, I'm sure carjackings do happen in Dubai and elsewhere in the region. I seem to remember a case reported in The Week about a year ago of a woman whose car was stolen as she was using an ATM.
MIM
ReplyDeleteThanks for doing that.
I knew I should have checked it on Snopes... but you're right, pre-Eid busy... I'll correct the post tho'
The thefts of Harleys around town are, however, real.
Thefts increase during all national holidays. This is a fact all around the world. People leave their houses for longer hours, either on holiday or for family gatherings. It doesn't take a crime genius to figure out that is the perfect time to rob houses. I suppose it is Omani families who are more likely to be the victims of these eid thefts though.
ReplyDeleteDuring the first day of eid, we gathered in my parents' house for lunch and the alarm in my house rang around 3.30pm. I got a notification on my mobile phone and I raced home. I got there in 15 minutes and the house was untouched. I couldn't see any sign of forced entry but my alarm system is programed to trigger if the glass windows or their frame are hit or vibrated. Yesterday wasn't a windy day, so it couldn't have been wind.
Today, we went to have lunch at City Center and once again the alarm was triggered around 2.30pm. Twice in two days, both in mid afternoon? Can't be a coincidence. I guess it's time to add cameras to the alarm system.