Beware of Pickpockets
The Many Ways You Can Get Your Pocket Picked
- One possibility you should always guard against in subways and buses is the possibility of having your pocket picked.
- There are so many undetectable means pickpockets use, so much so that you could be a victim without realizing it. Below are some of the most common tricks of the trade:
· Opening a bag, or tearing it with a razor blade.
· Tearing the inner pocket of a jacket or coat with a razor blade.
· Distracting a mark on a bus by asking about destinations or other information while an accomplice picks the victim’s pockets.
· Boarding a bus with the victim between two accomplices, the accomplice at the front may buy time by asking the driver questions. The accomplice at the back urges the victim onto the bus, then relieves the victim of valuables in the moment of distraction.
· One accomplice drops an object, such as a coin or a ring of keys, at the victim’s feet. While the victim bends down, the other accomplice breaks the chain of the victim’s necklace and snatches it.
· (Usually on subways) Snatching another passenger’s belongings from the shelf and getting out of the car immediately before the doors close.
· A number of accomplices board. They will then distract the passengers through means, such as by having a loud argument. Afterward, they will pick pockets while the passengers’ attention is on the commotion.
<Source: Police Agency Blog>
Protect Yourself!
- There could be a number of pickpocket methods other than the ones above, but you can take precautions to protect yourself from crime. Here are some simple yet effective measures:
· Always carry purses and bags in front of you.
· Do not fall asleep after drinking in a subway car or in a station.
· Be vigilant of anyone who bumps hard into you in the impact of the crowd.
· Do not place your wallet in your back pocket.
· Do not place valuable items, such as bags, on the subway shelf.
<Source: Seoul Metrot Blog>
What Is the Penalty?
- If found guilty, a pickpocket will be sentenced to imprisonment of not longer than six years or a fine of not more than KRW 10 million (Article 329 of the Criminal Act).
· Anyone who habitually commits or attempts the above crime jointly with five or more persons may be sentenced to imprisonment of not shorter than two years and not more than 20 years (Article 5-4 (2) of the Act on Aggravated Penalties for Certain Crimes).
- If found guilty of picking pockets while in possession of a deadly weapon or in a group of two or more people, the penalty is raised to imprisonment of not shorter than one year and not longer than ten (Article 331 (2) of the Criminal Act).
· Anyone who habitually commits or attempts the above crime jointly with five or more persons may be sentenced to imprisonment of not shorter than two years and not more than 20 years (Article 5-4 (2) of the Act on Aggravated Penalties for Certain Crimes).
Sexual Crimes on the Subway and Bus: Here Is What You Can Do
How to Protect Yourself, and How You Can Respond
- There are reports that sexual crimes, such as molestation and inappropriate filming with hidden cameras, are on the increase on buses and subways.
- What are some precautions you might take to protect yourself, and how can you respond if it happens?
· In places where the subway station stairs are steep or the escalator has a long climb, carry your bag behind you or carry any items, such as a book, behind you. It may also help to stand facing to the side rather than the front.
· If anyone makes unwanted physical contact, even a slight one, show your displeasure at once and move away.
· In a crowded subway car, it may help to use the first or last car if possible. Molesters are always aware of escape routes in case they are discovered. Since movement is possible in only one direction on the first and last cars, they prefer not to use these cars.
· It is a great help in preventing crime if, rather than turning your back when a strange man approaches from behind in a crowded bus or subway car, you keep him at a 45-degree angle, or change your stance and turn your shoulders slightly.
· Move to another seat if possible.
· Try sending a text to 112 on your cell phone.
√ Molesters often count on the fact that their victims are too ashamed or humiliated to report the crime. Proactive reporting can therefore be the most effective means of preventing this type of crime.
√ If you witness or are a victim to a molestation in a bus or subway, take out your phone and send a text to 112.
√ In subways in particular, send the number of the subway car you are on (located above the doors and on the upper wall of the car) and the direction the train is headed. It is even better to include the station you are passing through. For instance: Between the doors of subway car Nos. 4169 3-4 , headed from Sadang toward Bangbae presently at 8:20 a.m. Molester is a man in his 20s in a black jacket, please help.
√ Once the report comes through, the subway precinct station or police station nearest to the subway train will send an officer immediately to apprehend the suspect.
<Source: Seoul Metro Blog, See Measures for Emergencies in the Subway>
What Is the Penalty?
- Any person who commits a molestation on a subway or bus may be sentenced to imprisonment of not longer than one year or a fine of not more than KRW 3 million (Article 11 of the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, Etc.).
- Any person who uses a mechanical device with similar functions to a camera, such as a camera, cell phone and smartphone, etc., on a subway or bus to take any photograph or record any video, against another person’s will, of parts of the person’s body capable of provoking sexual desire or humiliation may be sentenced to imprisonment of not longer than 5 years or a fine of not more than KRW 30 million (Article 14 (1) of the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, Etc.).
- Any person who distributes, sells, leases, provides, or openly exhibits or screens the photos or videos so taken or recorded, or any copy thereof (including copies of the copies; the same applies hereinafter) and, even though taking the photos or recording the videos was not against the will of the person photographed or recorded at the time of taking or recording, a person who later distributes, sells, leases, provides, or openly exhibits or screens the photos, videos, or copies thereof against the former’s will shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or by a fine not exceeding KRW 30 million (Article 14 (2) of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, Etc. of Sexual Crimes).
- Any person who distributed, etc., the above photographs or videos through information communication networks against the will of the photographed or recorded person may be sentenced to imprisonment with a labor of not longer than 7 years (Article 14 (3) of the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, Etc.).