Ketchup Gang strikes again

Watch your backs. Police believe the 'Ketchup Gang' may have resurfaced with their filthy bag-snatching scam. A number of Central shoppers have reported recently falling foul to the con which takes place in three acts and involves a cast of up to five.

It begins when someone in the busy Central crowds sneaks up and squirts unpleasant liquid, such as tomato ketchup or talcum powder mixed with water, down your back. Then a 'good samaritan' appears from the crowd, points out the stain and offers to hold your bag while you take off your jacket and attend to it. Which is, of course, when your wallet disappears.

'Be warned,' said Trina, a victim of the saucy scam whose e-mail report is doing the rounds. 'It all happens in about three seconds.'

Trina managed to get robbed twice in the same hour. First, as a victim of the ketchup scam, she had her purse lifted from her handbag. Then, once the thieves discovered they had missed her credit cards, Trina was distracted again and this time had her bag snatched. 'It is very organised,' said Trina. 'I hope by mentioning this scam you can warn others.'

Police, who first identified the Ketchup Gang after a spate of robberies in 2000, said the scam was back on the rise. A spokesman said: 'We want to warn members of the public to watch their bags in crowds at all times.'