Sorrento: Pickpocket Arrested with Pirated POS, Accomplice Wanted

SSorrento – As the Sorrento Coast fills with tourists, a new and insidious phenomenon, already widespread in large cities and major tourist resorts, is also arriving here: “pickpocketing 2.0.”

The alarm was raised by the arrest of a woman with dozens of criminal records, caught red-handed by the Carabinieri, who discovered a disturbing detail: a pirated contactless mobile POS terminal in her bag, likely used to drain the victims' bank accounts.

A modus operandi that brings to mind the numerous reports and viral videos circulating on the web, showing the speed and ingenuity of these new pickpockets.

The arrest, though unfortunately "routine" given the summer season, revealed a worrying reality. That afternoon, a 36-year-old Peruvian woman, acting like a tourist, was wandering around the bars in downtown Sorrento. At a bar, she took advantage of an opportune moment to grab a 100 euro note from the cash register.

A 36-year-old Peruvian woman was arrested.

She immediately attempted to escape, with an accomplice waiting nearby in a car. However, the Carabinieri's quick intervention apprehended the woman, while her accomplice managed to escape.

The identification and subsequent search of the 36-year-old revealed a criminal past rife with specific offenses, most of which were committed in Rome. And it was during the search that the most alarming discovery emerged: a pirated contactless mobile POS terminal was found in the woman's bag.

A suspicious device believed to be used to steal money from unsuspecting victims' bank accounts by simply holding it close to their credit or debit cards. The woman's criminal record includes a €9.000 theft, perpetrated with a similar device from a tourist in the capital.

The arrested woman is now awaiting trial, while the Carabinieri continue their investigations to track down the escaped accomplice and to determine whether any fraudulent withdrawals have already occurred.

This episode highlights the importance of caution, especially in crowded places and tourist destinations, where the spread of these new theft techniques requires greater attention from everyone.

It's essential to keep an eye on your personal belongings and, if possible, use wallets and bags that make it harder to access credit cards and smartphones. "Pickpocket 2.0" poses a real threat, and their presence on the Sorrento Coast is a warning sign that shouldn't be underestimated.

The phenomenon of pickpocketing 2.0 is growing in high-traffic areas. Do you think current security measures are sufficient to counter this new threat?