Facebook and the constant return of reports
A warning is currently being spread about a burglar tactic in which burglars use small plastic pieces on windows and doors to gain access to apartments. The message on Facebook reads:
PLEASE SHARE: POLICE WARN ABOUT NEW BURGLAR SCAM IN THE REGION
The police in Rhineland-Palatinate are warning of a new burglary scam that is currently being increasingly observed in the region. There are also likely to be an increase in these acts in Saarland. The perpetrators stick transparent, approximately 4 centimeter long plastic strips (photo from a break-in in Mainz) into cracks in the door and check a certain time later whether they are still stuck. If so, no one is home and a break-in is likely to occur.
NOTES: To your local police department. If possible, do not touch the plastic parts so as not to cover any traces!
This message is CURRENTLY (July 31, 2015) circulating on Facebook, but the general warning about this tactic is older:
Already spotted in 2014
IT'S NOT FAKE!
Mainz Police Headquarters / January 3rd, 2014, 12:44 – Mainz Criminal Police Department
Mainz, apartment break-ins – police warn of new scam!
In the past few days, the police discovered a new scam in preparation for home break-ins. In several single-family homes, some of whose residents were away, small plastic particles (see photos) were found trapped in access doors to the house or property.
Method:
The perpetrators jam the plastic parts into the access doors to the properties.
A day or two later they check to see if the parts are still stuck. If the door has been opened in the meantime, the plastic particles will have fallen to the floor or disappeared completely, signaling to the perpetrators that the residents have not traveled.
However, if the plastic part is still stuck, it means that the residents are not at home; the burglary can be committed. [adrotate group=“1″]
Since the parts are very small and transparent, the residents of the house won't notice if they fall on the floor. And even if they do, no one thinks that this should be used to prepare for a break-in.
The police are asking residents who notice these plastic clips to report it directly.
Please contact the Mainz criminal police, telephone: 06131-653633.
Mainz Criminal Investigation Department
Valenciaplatz 2
55118 Mainz
Telephone: 06131/65-0
Reference and source: http://www.polizei.rlp.de/internet/nav/f6a/presse.jsp?uMen=f6a70d73-c9a2-b001-be59-2680a525fe06&page=1&pagesize=10
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )