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Tip-offs prevent rip-offs.

Thefts, Cons, and Street Scams
Half-day workshop-seminar for law enforcement and security agencies
Bob Arno, Global Street-Crime Researcher, Anti-Theft Consultant

Most American cities and towns do not regard pickpocketing as a major problem and don’t have the knowledge or training to fight it; indeed, many don’t even consider that it is a problem. Victim reports may fall into either larceny or robbery statistics, but the vast majority of incidents aren’t reported at all. Victims assume they simply lost their property. Even when victims report their “lost property,” most cities don’t realize that those reports may be an indicator of a distract theft problem.

With identity theft exploding in America today, it’s vital to remember that savvy pickpockets turn even a thin wallet into big bucks through credit card fraud; the cash people carry around is mere candy money—or drug money—to the thief who knows how to exploit a spread, the stolen credit cards and ID. No longer do they toss those items into the trash; if the cannon doesn’t know what to do with them, he knows where to sell them to someone who does, and gets “up to a G” in exchange.

Bob Arno demonstrates a classic sandwich steal with his police officer accomplice.

This half-day course is beneficial to any officer. It focuses on how ordinary theft has expanded into identity theft and has become part of tourism and public place thefts through acts such as pickpocketing. You will learn how diversion thieves operate, although their acts are often reported as simple larceny or robbery. You will also learn how to recognize the pre-incident behavior of diversion thieves.

For officers working locales such as conventions, casinos, public transport systems, and common tourist areas, this seminar is especially useful. Instances of document fraud now show an increasing incidence of legitimate documents with slight alteration of photographs; that has led to an increased market in stolen documents.

OVERVIEW OF TOPICS:
•Pickpocket behavior, methodology, and group coordination
•Other street scams
•Identity theft using stolen documents
•Distract theft often reported as lost property
•Traveling teams of thieves

Bob Arno shows that, contrary to popular belief, a thief need not put his hand into a victim’s pocket.

Bob Arno is an internationally recognized street crime and anti-theft consultant and co-author of the book Travel Advisory: How to Avoid Thefts, Cons, and Street Scams He lectures around the world on thefts, cons and street scams. He will show how pickpockets and scam artists operate in and among tourist crowds and, using his own video footage of crimes in progress, will analyze the behaviors involved so that crime may be seen. Pre-incident behavior will be shown as well.

This presentation will cover body language, facial expressions, telltale behavior, props and methodology. Mr. Arno will also discuss the behavioral differences occurring in public transportation, hotels and conventions, sporting and entertainment venues, airports, and street crowds. With exclusive video and live demonstrations, Mr. Arno offers a global perspective on distract theft techniques and the latest international trends.

ADDITIONAL AREAS OF DISCUSSION WILL INCLUDE:
• Prosecution of pickpockets and snatch thieves
• How crimes against tourists become negative publicity
• Hotel room burglaries (“door pushers”)
• Convention/conference crime
  (laptops and other equipment)
• Cooperation with private security
• How sophisticated gangs target victims