Manama mosque scam exposed as cunning thief exploits kindness, steals thousands

TDT | Manama                                                     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

A brazen thief employed a devious ploy to target unsuspecting worshippers in a Manama mosque, leaving a trail of stolen dinars and shattered trust.

His scheme? A staged fall, strategically timed to exploit the compassion of fellow devotees. While concerned worshippers rushed to his aid, the cunning culprit made off with nearly BD2,000, swiped from a bank card belonging to one of his victims.

The elaborate act began innocently enough. As prayers concluded and worshippers exited the mosque, the thief orchestrated a dramatic tumble. Fooled by his theatrics, kind-hearted individuals rushed to his assistance, even seating him on a chair before departing. But their act of generosity came at a steep price.

Shortly after leaving the mosque, a victim received a jarring call from his employer: nearly BD1,900 had vanished from his work bank account. Panic set in as he realised his wallet, containing the stolen bank card and, crucially, the password scribbled on a piece of paper, was missing.

The thief, it turned out, had struck twice, targeting another unsuspecting member of the congregation as well.

Footage

Security cameras at Bahrain Airport painted a clear picture of the culprit’s movements. The footage captured him withdrawing the stolen funds from an ATM and making a series of purchases at nearby shops.

Armed with this evidence, investigators identified the perpetrator and brought him to justice. Facing charges of unauthorised electronic signature usage, theft, and seizing money through illicit means, the thief now stands to spend the next three years behind bars.