r/BeAmazed • u/Admirable-Interest49 • May 13 '26

Skill / Talent Police officer with the pickpocketing skills

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

92.0k Upvotes

96% Upvoted

986 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

39

u/JokesandFacts May 13 '26

This is not uncommon in Asian countries.

They are extremely easy to use for them

Narrow profile for entering spaces

Slightly more reach

No fingerprints left on lifted merchandise

49

u/TheRogueToad May 13 '26

It's also useful because after they've stashed the goods, if the person turns around they'll see someone with both of their hands full, making it look like it couldn't have possibly been them.

8

u/FerusGrim May 13 '26

I genuinely didn't consider this benefit. That's great.

3

u/LegacyTaker May 14 '26

Makes me remember some story that a guy walking behind you eating chips make him less suspicious only to find out the gun is hidden in the chips bag.

2

u/IAmGeeButtersnaps May 14 '26

Definitely a common thing. Had my phone stolen by someone using chopsticks when I was in China back around 2010. My friend saw it happen and got the phone back otherwise I never would have known.

1

u/JokesandFacts May 14 '26

I despise these crimes because they leave you in such a vulnerable position. In a foreign country, language barrier, logistical issues such as how to get anywhere without money and apps.

The worst part is that it's seen as a petty crime and the law enforcement just sees it as a tax tourists pay. It really should be looked at with more severity. I guess not until their tourism dwindles due to this will anything change.

2

u/leixiaotie May 14 '26

not that easy to lift something as heavy as phone with chopsticks though, I've tried it

2

u/JokesandFacts May 14 '26

I as far as I know, they do need a little modification as phones are too heavy and slippery. The video I saw where they caught a pickpocket was using the ends that had some wrap on them. I don't know if paper or rubber, but it probably helped. On the other hand, I can barely pick up ramen without dropping it.

1

u/HeLLzFiReX May 14 '26

It was a wallet not a phone