LAHORE, Feb 28: Garhi Shaho and Johar Town police claimed on Thursday to have arrested two swindlers and three robbers, respectively, and recovered looted valuables besides illegal weapons from their possession.

The Garhi Shaho police arrested ring leader Haneef and his accomplice Nazar Husian of a swindlers gang when they were standing outside Alfalah Bank, Garhi Shaho branch.

Their five members managed to escape from the spot.

The modus operandi of the criminals was that they used to throw a shopping bag carrying cash in front of a person, who leave the bank after withdrawal.

As soon as the person would lift the bag, one of the criminals approach him and claim the ownership of the bag. In the meantime, his accomplice would appear there and claim the ownership followed by two others.

The accused would indulge the victim in conversation and get his money under the pretext of body search and escape after deceiving him.

The police seized Rs100,000 and two cell phones from their possession.

The Johar Town police apprehended ring leader of a robbers’ gang, Sharafat Ali, and two accomplices Ghulam Nabi and Waqar Akbar after an abortive robbery bid and recovered two motorcycles, six cell phones and illegal arms from them.

SSP (operations) Aftaab Ahmed Cheema announced cash and certificates for the raiding teams.