The Icelandic Tourism Agency has issued a strong warning for tourists visiting popular attractions in South Iceland: Beware of pickpocketers.
According to reports, tourists have become the targets of a gang of
pickpocketers
; the group is comprised of approximately 10 foreign individuals who disguise themselves as one of the many tourists before launching their slight of hand thievery.
“This is a highly organized operation and clearly part of a structured criminal enterprise. We suspect that around 10 people are actively involved in these thefts,” Garðar Már Garðarsson, chief superintendent of the South Iceland Police, said.
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Popular Destination Sites in South Iceland Prime Locations for Pickpocketing
The most popular destination for pickpocketing, the Icelandic Tourism Agency warns, are popular destination sites such as the geyser Strokkur, located in the Haukadalur Valley in South Iceland, where hundreds of tourists each day watch entranced as the geyser erupts, in addition to Þingvellir National Park, which has recorded several thefts, and caught a “highly trained band of pickpocketers” just last week, according to a post on the park’s Facebook account.
“When Strokkur erupts, there may be 300 to 500 people gathered around,” Dagur explained. “As everyone watches, the thieves blend into the crowd and rummage through backpacks, waist bags, and other belongings. Within one to two minutes, stolen items are handed off to accomplices,” park ranger Dagur Jónsson, from the Nature Conservation Institute, stated.
According to Dagur, pickpocketers are not looking for debit or credit cards but rather cash in the form of several different currencies, including the Icelandic krónur.
“People who fall victim to this are absolutely furious, as it is a major invasion of privacy,” Dagur adds.
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The Gangs of Pickpocketers Are Highly Trained and Well-Coordinated, Warns Icelandic Police
Icelandic authorities want tourists to be well aware of their surroundings at all times, particularly during the prime tourist season months of February, March, and July, when highly-trained and well-coordinated pickpocketers come out in droves to prey on unknowing tourists.
“Two to three members act as lookouts, checking for surveillance before signaling to others. Another two to three individuals select targets, stealing from backpacks or bags by pressing closely against tourists or distracting them – often by offering to take their photos. While one thief engages the victim, an accomplice picks their pockets,” officials at the National Park posted.
South
Iceland
Police have indicated they are tightening up security and adding more police presence in areas targeted by pickpocketers. However, authorities do request that individuals report any suspicious persons or any thefts immediately so the thieves can be apprehended swiftly and not have the chance to make their escape.
“We intend to tighten surveillance. We have received numerous reports, and this appears to be a group specializing in such thefts,” Garðar said.