Bank robbers caught on CCTV

The gang consists of three men, who rob unwitting bank customers by distracting them once they have left the safety of the bank.

ABU DHABI // Three men have been caught on camera robbing bank customers.

According to CCTV footage, the group of young men, in their mid-twenties to early thirties, have most often targeted victims between 11.30am and 1.30pm.

A victim is often targeted as soon as they enter the bank, said Lt Col Nasser Al Maskari, director of the Abu Dhabi Police Operations Department.

When the victim returns to their car, one of the gang members knocks on the window and pretends that he has spotted an issue with a tyre. As the victim steps out to check the issue, another man opens the passenger door and steals the cash.

The third man keeps a lookout and contacts his fellow robbers over the phone if there is any trouble.

The suspects tend to congregate near the back entrances of banks so as to keep out of sight of CCTV.

Lt Col Al Maskari urged the public to comply with police instructions and report any suspicious activity they may encounter at banks, or ATMs, by calling 999. He also advised bank customers to hide their cash from plain view, and for women and the elderly to refrain from withdrawing large amounts of cash from banks or ATMs when they are alone.