Next time you hear words like 'machine' and 'chabi' on the streets of Delhi, watch out

Cracking a pickpocket's code

Next time you hear words like 'machine' and 'chabi' on the streets of Delhi, watch out

You must have come across signs like "Beware of pickpockets" at railway stations and cinema halls. Of course there is some difficulty in spotting these delinquents as they don't always stand out in a crowd. But if you keep an ear out for telltale conversations on the streets you can hold on to that cash a little while longer.

MiD DAY has learnt that pickpockets call their gang members with different code names. Each member has a different moniker that comes in handy when an 'operation' is in progress. Pickpockets first assemble in a park in their demarcated area. Before boarding a bus they have a cryptic conversation.

u00a0Speaking with this reporter DCP (crime) Ashok Chand said that he is familiar with only two euphemisms. "The gang member who siphons off wallets is called Machine. He is an expert in securing the purse after being helped by another. Two or three persons who catch hold of their target on the pretext of moving inside the bus are called Thek Baaz," he said.u00a0

One of their gang members would also follow them on a bike for help in case it's needed. According to asenior police official they travel in a particular route number to target their prey.

Six of the worst

The Crime Branch of the Delhi Police arrested six pickpockets who allegedly have been involved in number of criminal cases. DCP, Crime, Ashok Chand said that the accused have been identified as Salim, Baapi Biswas, Salim, Sonu, Gopal Biswas and Manoj.
"We had a tip-off that they would assemble near Kalindi Kunj. A raid was conducted and all of them were arrested by the police. They gang has been active in Okhla area. Last time while robbing persons inside a bus they pulled out surgical blades and attacked several passengers who tried to raise an alarm. The victims suffered injuries on their face and neck," said Chand. He added that cops are interrogating them about their antecedents.

Ever heard?

Dande Pe Chal Rahe Hain:u00a0 They are travelling in a bus to rob the passenger and operation is onu00a0
Bus Adde Ka Phool Hain: They will meet at their hideout in ISBT area to distribute money
Chabi Nikal: Pull out the blade to fight
Machine: A person who is an expert in siphoning off wallets
Thek Baz: Two or three persons who catch hold of their victim

Lucky crook

A few drinks for fun cost Abbas Bhatt dear. The Delhi-based businessman was having a party at the F Bar and Lounge at the Ashok hotel. Next morning when he woke up with a hangover, he saw 20 SMSes from his bank regarding withdrawals of Rs 2 lakh in total. Bhatt immediately got his ATM card locked and approached the police to get an FIR registered.
Speaking with the reporter, Bhatt said that someone snitched his wallet containing his Standard Chartered Bank ATM card, his I-card and some cash.
"I came to know about the incident in the morning when I received messages from my bank. The person who stole my wallet has withdrawn cash 20 times. Each time he withdrew Rs 10,000. Police is examining CCTV footage to know who the culprit is.
I may have put my wallet on the desk at the bar while having a soft drink after which I left for home. It was late in the night. I didn't check for my wallet. In morning when my cell phone rang I noticed that I had 20 new messages and each one from the bank. I checked one of them and realised that I had lost two lakh rupees," Bhatt said.

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