IP: Warning about using laptops in Europe

[Dave Farber <farber@central.cis.upenn.edu>]

>This is for you Road Warriors!!
>
>Bruce Galler
>
>
>
>
>"Laptop computers have become a premium target for theft throughout
>Europe.  Every international traveler who is anticipating on carrying a
>laptop computer with them must remain on constant alert as they traverse
>through all airports.
>
>Two methods of theft have already occurred at separate airports and  the
>techniques that were used to steal the laptop computers can occur at any
>airport.  Both methods involved two thieves to carry out the theft.
>
>Recently, Brussels Airport security advised that one method involved  the
>use of security x-ray machines.  The first thief would precede the
>traveler through the security check point and then loiter around the area
> where the carry-on luggage had already been examined.  When the traveler
> places his laptop computer onto the conveyer belt of the x-ray machine,
>the  second thief would step in front of the traveler and set off the
>metal  detector.  While the traveler was being delayed, the first thief
>would  remove the traveler's laptop computer from the conveyer belt just
>after  it  had gone through the x-ray machine and quickly disappear.
>
>The most recent method of theft just occurred at the Frankfurt
>International Airport, Germany, while the traveler was walking around a
>crowd of people in the airport terminal.  The traveler, who was carrying
>his  laptop computer on his rollbag, was preceded by the first thief.
>Just as  the traveler got around the crowd of people, the first thief
>stopped  abruptly, causing the traveler to stop abruptly.  When they
>stopped  momentarily, a second thief, who had been following just behind
>them,  quickly removed the traveler's laptop computer from his rollbag
>and  disappeared in the crowd."
>
>--
>                                                 Bruce I. Galler
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