Saudi Gazette report

DAMMAM — The wealthy looks of Saudi women make them a target of thieves and robbers in downtown Athens especially in the metro, the Saudi Ambassador to Greece Essam Beitu Al-Maal has said, according to Makkah daily on Sunday.

The ambassador said since early June four theft cases involving Saudi women have been reported in Athens.

He said a warning against such cases issued by the embassy about a week ago was a routine one like is done every summer.

The ambassador said Saudi women are easily recognized by the veils and accessories they wear which look valuable to the Europeans.

He said thieves usually target hand bags usually containing passports, bank cards, mobile phone sets and other valuables.

The ambassador said in the islands, the thieves usually target furnished apartments when the occupants are away.

"The thieves follow Saudi tourists until they are sure that they have vacated their apartments to bust them," he said.

The ambassador said no stolen items have so far been retrieved and said the embassy would issue the affected tourists with lasse passe to travel home and pay for their accommodation.

He expected the number of the Saudi tourists to Greece to increase especially after the Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) has started direct flights from Riyadh to Athens.