The Saudi embassy in Turkey warned on Tuesday its citizens against falling victim to Turkish gangs that are targeting Saudi tourists to rob them of their passports and money.
Trusted sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that 165 Saudi passports have been stolen in three Turkish tourist spots during four months.
The embassy had revealed that Saudis have been victims of pick-pocketers and robbers, who had run off with their money and passports, in some regions in Turkey.
It urged citizens to secure their passports and precious possessions, especially in crowded areas.
They must not hesitate in contacting the embassy or Saudi consulate in Istanbul in cases of emergency.
The sources said that the tourists were targeted in the Istanbul neighborhoods of Taksim, Ortakoy and Besiktas. The tourists said that the theft took place while they were shopping or at restaurants.
Charge d’Affaires at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul Meshary al-Thyaby told Asharq Al-Awsat that the embassy and consulate are on available around the clock to receive complaints from Saudi nationals.
It revealed that embassy officials are dispatched to the scene of any reported theft.
The crimes have led to a huge drop in numbers of Saudi tourists in 2019 compared to 2018.
“The thefts and pick-pocketing are not limited to Saudi tourists, but we have heard similar cases among Arab tourists,” he stated.
