KUALA LUMPUR: Retail outlets beware. A roll of aluminium foil costing just RM7 can “disable” security scanners, allowing shoplifters to go off undetected.
Starhill Gallery security chief Colin Siow said his staff detected the latest modus operandi after they noticed three shoppers behaving suspiciously at the shopping mall recently.
They noticed two women and a man, who were sitting at a cafe in the mall, exchanging items among themselves, Siow said.
“When our security personnel approached the three people, who are believed to be foreigners, they bolted. However, they left behind several bags.
“We inspected the bags and found 23 pairs of stolen trousers,” he said.
Upon closer scrutiny, security personnel found that the bags had aluminium foil stitched into the inner lining.
“The aluminium foil impedes the signal between the security tag on the goods and the detection system.
“It works regardless of whether the security tag is magnetic or radio based,” he said, urging retailers nationwide to be on alert.
Siow said that the stolen garments were valued at about RM1,871.
The Malaysian Association for Shopping and Highrise Complex Management has also warned shopping malls nationwide to be on alert for this new modus operandi.
A spokesman from the association said they were aware of this tactic used by shoplifters to steal without being detected.
“The issue was brought up by one of our affiliates during a conference which we held for our members recently,” she said.
She said upgrading security measures at shopping malls to detect such activities could only be undertaken by the security management of the respective malls.
City CID chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Ku Chin Wah said those with information should contact the police.
Starhill Gallery security chief Colin Siow said his staff detected the latest modus operandi after they noticed three shoppers behaving suspiciously at the shopping mall recently.
They noticed two women and a man, who were sitting at a cafe in the mall, exchanging items among themselves, Siow said.
“When our security personnel approached the three people, who are believed to be foreigners, they bolted. However, they left behind several bags.
“We inspected the bags and found 23 pairs of stolen trousers,” he said.
Upon closer scrutiny, security personnel found that the bags had aluminium foil stitched into the inner lining.
“The aluminium foil impedes the signal between the security tag on the goods and the detection system.
“It works regardless of whether the security tag is magnetic or radio based,” he said, urging retailers nationwide to be on alert.
Siow said that the stolen garments were valued at about RM1,871.
The Malaysian Association for Shopping and Highrise Complex Management has also warned shopping malls nationwide to be on alert for this new modus operandi.
A spokesman from the association said they were aware of this tactic used by shoplifters to steal without being detected.
“The issue was brought up by one of our affiliates during a conference which we held for our members recently,” she said.
She said upgrading security measures at shopping malls to detect such activities could only be undertaken by the security management of the respective malls.
City CID chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Ku Chin Wah said those with information should contact the police.
Source : TheStar
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