The number of cases of thieves snatching mobile phones and laptops from the hands of their owners has increased sharply in the past few weeks, especially in Al-Wazarat District here, residents say. Foreign nationals are easy prey for miscreants, particularly when they are walking alone with mobile phones or laptops. “It is a matter of concern for all expats, but more so for those from the Indian subcontinent, who are considered an easy target for the attackers. Cases of such expats being attacked have increased dramatically in the past few days,” said Mohammed Ashraf, President of the Muslim Education Society (MES), a social organization. Ashraf, himself a victim of thugs who robbed him of his mobile and car, said he has witnessed several such cases. “They snatched my mobile phone and stole my car. A colleague of mine who is a manager at an airline company had his laptop snatched recently when he was walking to the office after parking his car,” Ashraf said. The social organization is creating awareness through its online forum. Several members in the forum have revealed their personal experiences. Zafar, who wrote a detailed email listing a number of snatching incidents, said some thugs snatched his mobile phone while he was taking an evening stroll in Wazarat District. “Alhamdulillah, I was not hurt. They did not harm me,” he said. He recalled how his friend was stabbed last week when he tried to resist the thieves. Wazarat residents are calling for increased patrolling of the district to protect expats from such criminals. __
