MUSCAT: The next time when you leave your car unlocked, running and unattended in front of a shopping store, bank ATMs or even in front of your home, think twice…it can get stolen within seconds! 

Motor vehicle thefts are on the rise in the country as thieves target cars left running unattended, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) said. “If you believe that there is no need to lock the car because you will return quickly, then you’re mistaken. Within seconds, the vehicle gets disappeared,” said Colonel Ahmed bin Ali Al Rawas, Assistant Director General of Criminal Investigations at ROP. 

According to Al Rawas, the driver creates the opportunity for thieves to steal the vehicle. “There is no particular time for such incidents but most cases happens when vehicles are left behind in a running state as users go for quick shopping,” he said. 

“Negligence of the driver is the most important reason that leads to this type of theft. We have got complaints of cars being stolen while in a running position in front of bank ATMs, shopping stores, fuel stations, and even near the driver’s home,” Al Rawas said. 

“Some vehicle owners park their vehicles for sale in undesignated places for a long time or park them in remote places either to protect them from sunlight or for reasons related to travel. This gives an opportunity for the thieves to steal the vehicles,” he explained. 

ROP also monitored several cases of citizens and residents who imported vehicles from outside the Sultanate with forger import certificates. “Motorists should verify the validity of documents online by entering the certificate number that it is not forged,” Al Rawas. 

International gangs also offer vehicles for sale through online channels at a lower price in order to lure customers. “They are defrauded by making to them to transfer funds to reserve the vehicle. We get complaints on that too,” Al Rawas added.