On the heels of a report stating that crime has risen exponentially in Qatar due to the rising influx of expats, the Ministry of Interior has announced two successful sting operations today.

The first involves a group of security guards at “a famous shopping mall” in Doha who, instead of turning shoplifters over to authorities, shook them down for money and released them instead.

According to the MOI:

Investigations revealed that the accused used to take shoppers stealing items from the mall, to a room where they interrogate the shopper and seizes some of his belongings and collect money from them in order not to report the theft incident to the police.

After permission from Public Prosecution, the accused were arrested through a sting operation. While searching the room, many files, papers and photos were found as these security staffs used to collect the details of the persons involved in theft and taking their signature not inform the police.

The second incident involved an arrest of four European expats on suspicion of stealing more than QR8 million ($2.2 million) worth of jewelry from a shop in Al Sadd.

The group, who arrived to Qatar on tourist visas, had been staying in a hotel near the gold souq.

The MOI states:

After legal proceedings and obtaining the permission from prosecutors, the (Criminal Investigation Department) arrested perpetrators by trapping them and while searching them large sums of money were found.

Large quantities of jewelry, watches in addition to passports and fake credit cards also were found in the car. Apart from these, some of the tools that are used for theft and for breaking doors also were found.

The interrogation revealed the complete plan and execution details of the crime.

To prevent such future thefts from occurring, CID recommends that stores install surveillance cameras and alarm systems that link to the MOI.

Thoughts?

Credit: Photo courtesy of MOI