Cabbies tricked and robbed by non-Chinese thief in Central

A series of thefts targeting taxi drivers in Central has come to light, with a non-Chinese thief employing distraction techniques to steal cash.

The total loss reported by three drivers amounts to HK$7,600.

The suspect, described as a woman of African descent, is believed to be between 30 and 35 years old.

She stands approximately 155 cm tall, has short black curly hair, and was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, dark blue shorts, and carrying a light blue crossbody bag.

Police investigations revealed that the same individual is likely behind all three incidents, which share similar characteristics and all occurred in the afternoon within the Central District.

The first reported incident took place on February 17 at 2.50 pm. The thief boarded the taxi at Macdonnell Road and alighted at Queen's Road, during which the driver was robbed of HK$1,500.

Two days later, on February 19, another driver was targeted after the thief entered his taxi at an Airport Express station and exited at Queen Victoria Street, with the driver losing HK$4,000 in cash.

The most recent incident occurred yesterday (Feb 26), when the woman boarded a taxi at Central Ferry Pier No. 6 at 4.45 pm and got off at the Lippo Centre. This time, the driver lost HK$2,100.

All taxi drivers were distracted by the incident and only realized that they had been robbed after checking the cameras in the taxi.

The police are currently looking for the thief involved in the incidents.

Sources familiar with the matter suggest that many drivers tend to be less vigilant around foreign tourists and often leave their cash or wallets near the handbrake, making them easy targets.

The thief reportedly engages the drivers in conversation, typically asking for directions on their phones. As the driver focuses on the phone screen to the left, the thief takes the opportunity to steal items placed near the handbrake on the right.