This email has been circulating the expat community over the past few days, I've now received it several times, so thought I'd share. It is from one of the big corporations with employees in Rio. When discussing it with friends over the weekend we were reminded that really you should not even open the door for your porteiro unless you've requested him to come to your door (he could be knocking on your door with someone coercing him to do so....)
We would like to warn employees living in (and visitors to) Zona Sul, Zona Oeste (Barra da Tijuca, Recreio dos Bandeirantes and Jacarepaguá) and Zona Norte (Tijuca, Grajaú e Méier) about a gang specializing home invasions.
These criminals act in such a way as to trick victims and facilitate entry of the gang into a residence. The gang members wear uniforms and even drive vehicles with the emblems of telecommunications and cable TV companies to deceive victims. The gang also has a device that identifies phone lines and the address of residences.
After choosing the victim, they cut services such as telephone, cable TV and/or Internet, and then present themselves as maintenance technicians for the service that’s been cut. Two gang members have already been arrested. One, aged 39, with previous convictions for theft, receiving stolen goods, and weapons possession, has worked in an outsourcing company providing services for the former Telemar.
Security Recommendations:
a) Share this information at home and in your apartment building;
b) Access to the condominium/property should only be authorized after the OK from the tenant for previously scheduled services. This approach is of vital importance to prevent this type of crime. We reiterate that such service personnel should remain outside the property/building while the service is being confirmed.
c) Do not be fooled by appearances (uniforms, badges and vehicles with emblems etc.); the modus operandi of criminals is increasingly sophisticated.
d) Whenever in doubt, contact the company responsible for the service.
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