Students should be wary of men offering to sell drugs after numerous bank card thefts across Manchester, police have warned.
Greater Manchester Police have responded to reports in the past few months from students having their cards stolen while intoxicated in the city centre and Fallowfield.
It is believed that men purporting a cannabis deal approach the students and then escort them to a cash machine to withdraw money after agreeing a deal.
Detective Inspector Dave Turner said: “In some cases, the offender has resorted to violence if they fail to get what they want.”
The offenders – understood to be of Somalian origin – have been caught on CCTV taking note of the victim’s pin number on their phones.
The victim is then led to a quiet spot where the offender simultaneously trades the cannabis and steals the victim’s bank card before escaping to make a fraudulent transaction.
Other victims have stated that the offender first approached them shortly after they had used their bank card in a bar.
“Thankfully nobody has been seriously injured but the only way to make sure that doesn’t happen is to stop these men from targeting anyone else,” Detective Inspector Turner added.
“I know some victims may be reluctant to, due to their participation in illegal activity, but I would ask that anybody who may have any information about these men to please come forward.”
Detective Inspector Turner stressed that students should be extra vigilant when they have been out drinking and should contact the police if they have been approached.
Anyone with information should call the police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Image courtesy of prensa420, with thanks.
