Many Gulfis are robbed while abroad, as robberies seem to put them at the top of their agenda when they plan to carry out this kind of criminal act, given the wealth that many may see.
While citizens said they found themselves in critical conditions because of being robbed during their holidays abroad, others attributed their targeting of this type of crime to the nature of the news broadcast by the international media, and talk about the standard of living in the UAE, and the happiness of its people, Securing the well-being of its children, as well as intentionally exposing many aspects of their wealth, by wearing precious and eye-catching valuables. These days, there is an increase in travel bookings, with the start of the first semester vacation, which lasts about a month, with a large number of citizens going to the countries of East Asia, and some European and African countries. The two managers working in travel agencies for «Emirates Today», the problem Is that a large part of the citizens believe that the security available in the UAE is also available in the countries they travel for, pointing out the need to avoid going out individually, especially late at night, in specific areas, and avoid wearing valuables and jewelry that tempt thieves.
They also stressed the importance of avoiding large sums of money during travel, relying on bank cards for expenses, keeping copies of important documents, keeping money hidden in a separate place for emergency use, registering with "my presence" .
Ahmed al-Dhahiri said that he was on vacation in Spain and was robbed while on a subway train. He went to the police station to release a report that stole his wallet, which contained money and bank cards, to be surprised by the presence of about 10 people in the center for the same reason.
"He noticed strange movements of people who were moving near him while he was on the train, but he did not expect things to be stolen," he said, adding that he lost his wallet in a few moments.
He added that the theft caused him great embarrassment and confusion, as he was on vacation abroad.
Suleiman al-Zahmi said his wife was robbed while she was in a shopping mall in France and was charged with her purse of 10,000 dirhams after being dragged by an elderly woman outside a shop, claiming that children's carts were not allowed into the shop.
He added that his wife did not realize that the old woman was carrying out a successful robbery only after some time. When she filed a complaint with the police station, the cameras did not appear to cover the place where she was robbed.
He pointed out that many citizens believe that tourist destinations in general and European cities in particular are as safe as the UAE, but the fact is that this is quite different.
The mother (Raed) said that during her stay in Turkey, she saw a little girl falling to the ground in a garden. She rushed to help her. A number of women gathered around her to discover in less than a minute that she had been robbed. The child falls down, losing focus altogether.
She said she was robbed again during her holiday in Thailand, as a motorcycle driver extended his hand towards her bag and pulled it away quickly.
"A strange person approached her while walking in a London neighborhood with a friend and gave them a free souvenir," said Shamma al-Menhali. "She accepted the gift, but she was surprised to ask for it."
She pointed out that some citizens, especially those who travel for the first time, make mistakes in regard to the safety measures needed to take place outside the UAE, calling for raising awareness of citizens of the risks they may be exposed in some countries.
Ibrahim al-Mansouri, who said he was stoned while in France, was shocked. While in a public square in Paris, he was approached by a group of people who said they worked for a charity to help orphaned children, but were found to be professional burglars.
He stressed that «citizens who do not have sufficient experience are most vulnerable to theft while they are outside the UAE».
For his part, Abu Yusif said that the hospital was receiving a relative treatment where he refused to deal with checks and requests for cash only, pointing out that he went to the hospital and was carrying about 25 thousand dirhams in his pocket, and on the road passed through a popular market, When he noticed the presence of four people walking beside him, explaining that he had to reduce speed after being blocked by someone and stole the amount from him.
He stressed the need not to carry money, because thieves are professional and the person must be prepared for all scenarios.
"I just heard a lot about the cases of theft, some of which were friends and close friends," she said. "She travels regularly but she goes out with her family and is careful not to carry valuables." The mere feeling that you are a stranger increases your chances of being robbed .
"The problem is that a large proportion of citizens believe that the safety available in the UAE is also available in their countries of destination for tourism," said Saeed Al Abedi, president of Al Abedi Travel & Tourism Holding. "Personal safety is a priority during holidays and vacations abroad.
Al-Abedi said that each country has its own privacy and areas to avoid. "The international media is reporting news about the happiness of the people of the UAE and has opened the appetite of many burglars," he said. "The hotel is safer than hotel apartments, especially those that are run from unknown companies and do not meet the required security standards."
He also stressed the importance of avoiding individual departures, especially late at night and in specific areas. He called for avoiding wearing valuables and ornaments that entice thieves and encourage them to commit robberies, explaining that some citizens go out of the shops of famous international brands, carrying a lot of bags and attract the attention of thieves.
The general manager of Asayel Tourism Company Riyad al-Faisal advised against avoiding large sums of money during travel and relying on bank cards for expenses. He pointed out the importance of maintaining backup copies of important documents such as credit cards, passports and medical reports, and keeping money hidden in the bank. Separate place or bank card for emergency use.
He pointed out that some thieves are working in groups, and someone close to you to offer help after watching you enough, and here should not lose attention, and tried to get away from them with caution, pointing out that smart phones and cameras and other things also tempt thieves, To be able to observe body language for those around him.
Al-Faisal called on citizens to take advantage of the benefits of registering in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 'Tawjadi' service prior to traveling and to consult the travel advice and instructions, pointing out that this service enables foreign missions to communicate with them during emergencies and crises while traveling abroad.
- A citizen who was on vacation in Spain and was robbed while in the metro.
- An elderly lady was raped by a citizen's wife at a shopping mall in France and stole a purse containing 10,000 dirhams.