"Sudden Physical Contact, Then Fled With Valuables" Europe Shaken by Reemergence of 'Affectionate Thieves'

In Europe, there has been a series of so-called "contact pickpocketing" crimes, in which thieves use hugs or friendly physical contact to steal valuables, prompting calls for increased vigilance. Such crimes are on the rise, particularly targeting tourists and the elderly, making heightened caution necessary.

On April 14, Yonhap News TV, citing the Daily Mail and other sources, reported an incident in Buckinghamshire, England, where a man in his 70s had his expensive Rolex watch stolen by a woman believed to be in her 20s or 30s during physical contact. The woman first approached the victim by offering cleaning or gardening services, but then suddenly made a sexual proposal and attempted physical contact, during which she snatched the watch and fled.

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Local police stated that this case is similar to the methods used by a female theft ring that was previously active in southern England. This group would disguise themselves as charity workers or surveyors, approach victims, and then distract them with hugs or kisses before stealing valuables such as wristwatches.

In fact, there have been repeated incidents in the past where thieves approached under the pretense of collecting signatures for children with hearing disabilities, then attempted hugs and kisses to steal watches during the distraction. Other cases involved complimenting someone’s perfume and then stealing a luxury watch after a hug. Such tactics have been reported not only in the UK but across Europe. Notably, in the prominent tourist city of Venice, crimes involving strangers approaching with friendly hugs and stealing necklaces, watches, or wallets are widespread. In 2024, it was revealed that one woman had accumulated enough wealth using this method to purchase land and a house, causing public shock.

Following that incident, the authorities in Venice significantly strengthened their crackdown on pickpocketing, arresting numerous suspects and expanding deportation measures for habitual offenders. At the time, civic groups also heightened public awareness by releasing photos of pickpockets at major train stations and other locations.

Europe has long been known as a region where pickpocketing targeting tourists is frequent. While there are no official statistics, in 2024, the UK travel insurance company Quotezone analyzed the number of pickpocketing cases per one million country-specific reviews, with Italy ranking first at 463 cases. France came in second with 283 cases, followed by the Netherlands with 143 cases.

Crimes in Europe that involve friendly approaches or physical contact are particularly dangerous because victims may not realize what is happening. Therefore, if a stranger approaches excessively friendly or attempts unnecessary physical contact, it is crucial to immediately maintain distance and check your belongings. Additionally, it is important not to expose valuables in crowded tourist areas. If you are planning a trip to Europe, being aware of these new tactics and remaining vigilant is the most effective way to prevent falling victim to such crimes.

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