Emirati nationals travelling to many European countries are urged to remain cautious and vigilant following a number of cases of theft involving UAE nationals.
The foreign ministry said UAE nationals travelling to the UK, Spain, Italy, Georgia, France and Austria should be particularly careful.
This comes as Albanian and Libyan Rolex gangs target Europe.
Organized crime gangs use lookouts to identify victims in upscale neighborhoods and then send thieves in getaway vehicles to carry out the robberies.
The “Rolex ripper” crime wave has seen the number of watches stolen in England and Wales almost double between 2015 and 2022, reaching 11,035, according to figures from Watchfinder UK.
The robberies have become so common that some international business executives have expressed concern that they will avoid even visiting London’s most exclusive areas for fear of their expensive watches being stolen.
The British capital saw a 56 percent rise in thefts last year, with 6,000 watches stolen, according to the Stolen Watches Database.
Paris police recently disrupted a gang of Algerian watch thieves who were stealing timepieces worth between 60,000 and 80,000 euros ($65,000 to $86,000) in upscale neighborhoods of the French capital, where robberies have also been on the rise.
Another criminal gang, including Algerians and Moroccans, stole luxury watches worth 170,000 euros after travelling from Barcelona to the holiday island of Mallorca.
Spain’s national police say Italy-based gangs frequently recruit young men of North African origin to carry out watch robberies in areas popular with holidaymakers.
In winter, they travel to the Canary Islands to take advantage of the good weather and tourism to commit crimes.
As UAE nationals head to Europe this summer, the ministry has warned them to be vigilant.
The UAE nationals are advised to:
Avoid carrying valuable or unusual items Keep official documents safe Book cars and hotels through reputable global companies
UAE nationals were also encouraged to visit the ministry’s website for the latest updates on travel advice.
The Ministry’s emergency contact number for UAE nationals is 0097180024.
The 10 most expensive watches stolen in the UK – see pictures
1. Richard Mille Rm 52-01. Value: £1,000,000. Getty Images
Updated: June 29, 2024 3:48 PM
