New modus operandi for shoplifting uncovered

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http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Malaysia/Story/A1Story20120724-360898.html

Retail outlets beware. A roll of aluminium foil costing just RM7 (S$2.80) 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.