Dubai pair held in 'hynotic chocolate' theft

HYPNOTIC THEFT: The couple accused of stealing confectionery and cash claim it is a case of mistaken identity. (Getty Images)

A couple have been arrested for allegedly hypnotising a chocolate shop sales assistant to steal confectionery and cash, it was reported on Tuesday.

The couple, a Pakistani man aged 27 and a Swedish-born Iranian woman aged 26, who both work in the financial services industry, deny stealing from the chocolatier Dolce Antico in Mercato Mall, Jumeirah, and claim it is a case of mistaken identity, UAE daily the National said.

They claim that a female sales assistant has mixed them up with another couple who visited the shop on July 14 while the sales assistant said the man had hypnotised her, walked behind the cash counter and stole 2,500 dirhams ($680).

When police arrived, CCTV footage was shown of a man and woman wanted in connection with the earlier robbery.

The couple, who have been engaged for three months, said they could see a resemblance, but that a close examination of the images cleared them of any wrongdoing.

Police were holding the man’s passport and had referred the case to the public prosecution, the paper said.

A Bur Dubai police spokesman was quoted as saying: “Cases of people who hypnotise and steal have happened a few times before.”

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Hypno-thief
Posted by Paul, Dubai on Wednesday 23 July 2008 at 15:39 UAE time


If I was able to hypnotise people and steal money, I think I'd probably choose to rob a bank, rather than a chocolate shop!

Hypnotising so easy???!!!
Posted by Waqqas Pervez on Wednesday 23 July 2008 at 15:21 UAE time

Hypnotising someone is not at all as easy as shown in movies. Actually, I don't remember seeing such "over-the-counter" kind of hypnotising even in movies. Certain environment is needed for this purpose, in addition to the subject's willingness. No one can be forced into a hypnotic state.

shop assistant involved?
Posted by christine, Dubai on Wednesday 23 July 2008 at 14:42 UAE time

Has the Dubai Police considered that they themselves might be the victims of a scam?
It's quite a smart way to get away with stealing money:
Get a partner, have him come into the shop, let him 'hypnotize' you, give him the money, let him get away with the money and share them when you come home..... And... just claim it was some random couple.
Moreover, people don't remember what they are doing or saying when (if it really works) they are hypnotized - so how could she remember what happened and who the thieves were?

Hypnotising?
Posted by Sunny, Dubai, UAE on Wednesday 23 July 2008 at 08:19 UAE time

Very interesting...and how exactly did they hypnotised her? I don't believe this can be so easy and done in public places! Did she fell asleep? I don't buy this.

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