Unique Loss Prevention Training
Throughout our training sessions around the world we continue to receive information about so called Hypnotist thefts. In Malaysia it is known as Purcow or Black Magic and in India as the Oily Man.
The scam starts with either one or two males entering a store and approaching the cashier. These males have usually been of Middle Eastern appearance but the theft have occurred across the world by persons of Mediterranean appearance.
One of the males then appears (captured on CCTV) to lean across the cashier counter and speak to the cashier. What is known is that in many cases a $100 bill is handed to the cashier with the male asking whether the bill can be changed for smaller denominations.
What happens next is nothing short of amazing when the CCTV shows the male leaning across to the register and taking out wads of notes. The cashier simply stands and watches whilst the male counts out about half the notes and replaces half the stack. The male then walks out.
The cashier is not aware of anything and only finds out that cash is missing at the end of the day when the till is counted. Subsequent viewing of the CCTV reveals what has happened.
As an investigator the first thought is that the cashier and the male are working together however this scam is happening on an increasing basis and in different stores, at different times in different locations. One thing that is consistent is that the cashier is usually new but completely trustworthy.
Have a look at the video below and let us know your thoughts. If you have any knowledge that may assist in how this scam is worked then we would be pleased to know. If you have been victim of this scam then please tell us about it.
Hypnotised or not?
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