CON artists and thieves invented novel ways of fleecing and robbing unsuspecting people, recently.

The latest trend that has surfaced at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) targets patients waiting to see a doctor or collect medication at the pharmacy there.
During the past Christmas season, a woman was sitting on one of the wooden benches provided for persons collecting medication when another woman went and sat next to her.
To pass time, patients would chat among themselves and a conversation soon started involving several women. However, it was sometime during that chat that one woman found her way into another’s handbag and took out the US$100 that was in it.
The money was meant to do the victim’s Christmas shopping but, when she returned from a visit to the washroom, she realised that it was missing.
By then, the thief had vanished, leaving the loser in tears and, although the security guards were alerted and an alarm raised by other patients, the perpetrator was not caught.
She is just one of many who find themselves at the GPH to prey on others.
There is also a mature couple who would go into the wards, pretend to be relatives of bed-ridden patients enfeebled by varying illnesses, and pack and take away their belongings.
A young man of East Indian descent also frequents the institution relating a sad story and saying he needs to make an urgent telephone call to some relative, informing of his arrival at the GPH. But when he finds a sympathetic person who allows him to use a cell phone, he escapes with the instrument.
Several persons were victims of his trickery after he made off with ‘Blackberry’ phones among others, following his keen observance of the owners.
Among the tricksters, too, is a young woman who pretends to be mentally challenged and would appear amidst patients and their relatives, and whenever the opportunity presents itself, she picks up their bags and disappears.
Despite the hospital having internal security, these incidents continue to occur at the institution.
GPHC Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Michael Khan was unavailable for comment yesterday, as he was involved in several meetings for most of the day and calls to his cell phone went unanswered.

NEW GANG
Meanwhile, a new gang has emerged in the Stabroek Market area, operating mainly on the crowded Water Street where they would snatch gold jewels from persons.
During the Christmas season, this group which comprises about four identifiable young men, grabbed jewellery and terrorised law-biding citizens.
One woman, who was traumatised after a robbery perpetrated by these youths, said she went to make a purchase at a store and was on her way back to her vehicle which was parked nearby when she was suddenly confronted by the trio.
They surrounded her, brandishing knives and guns, as they forcefully took off her gold chain and a gold band she was wearing and gun-butted her when she offered resistance.
She recalled trying to fight back but one of the robbers declared he did not have any problem killing her and she should “rest herself”.
This incident occurred on December 30, 2013, about 14:45 hrs while Water Street, Georgetown, was crowded with hundreds of shoppers/vendors, some of whom witnessed the incident, but did nothing to assist the frightened woman, she remembered.