Article: Tram scammers: cops nick slick pick-pockets

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From the Melbourne Age click here!

Tram scammers: cops nick slick pick-pockets

Tram scammers: cops nick slick pick-pockets

    * Reko Rennie
    * January 7, 2009

Unwitting commuters have fallen victim to a slick international ring of female pick-pockets operating on Melbourne's trams, police say.

- Police charge pick-pockets
- Tourists 'stole on city trams'
- Commuters unwitting victims

Three Bulgarians in Australia on tourist visas have been charged over a spate of thefts on trams - many involving victims who had no idea they'd been pick-pocketed.

Police believe the women, aged 16, 27 and 32, are responsible for about 70 purse and wallet thefts on trams in December.

Transit Safety Division Acting Senior Sergeant Matt Volk said Operation Distribute involved transit police and Yarra Trams authorised officers, some undercover, riding trams to catch the thieves.

"We had witnessed a spike in reports of theft from tram travellers, and in nearly every case people didn't realise they had lost their belongings until they left the tram," Acting Senior Sergeant Volk said.

Yarra Trams spokesman Mohamed Said said initial tip-offs alerted investigators to city hot-spots, including the trams that run along Collins and Bourke streets.

Acting Senior Sergeant Volk appealed to the public to report any thefts, saying the information could help with the current investigation.

"We are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who may have had foreign currency stolen, as a search warrant executed on a Kings Park address yielded a quantity of cash, most of it in money from other countries," acting Senior Sergeant Volk said.

The Bulgarians have been charged with attempted theft, handling stolen goods and possessing the proceeds of crime.

"Given the amount of offending they're certainly well-practised at their craft,'' acting Senior Sergeant Volk said.

He warned people to be vigilant, particularly during the holiday period.

"I think it's really important for people to take responsibility for the security of their own valuable belongings."

The teenager was bailed to appear at Melbourne Children's Court on February 5 and the two women were bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on the same date.