A psychologist has become the latest victim to speak out about a frightening new scam in which criminals throw paint on their targets before making off with their valuables.
Lea Yerevanian, 31, was waiting for an Uber outside Kings Cross St Pancras station around 8:30 pm in December when she nearly fell victim to this cruel scheme.
Her story comes just weeks after Made In Chelsea star Yasmine Zweegers revealed a similarly shocking experience, where she had £8,000 worth of belongings stolen at the same location.
Ms Yerevanian told MailOnline how she was left feeling ‘violated’ after thieves sprayed her with ketchup in a bid to distract her while they took her things.
Fortunately she clocked on to the ploy before it was too late, but her £4,500 coat was ruined by the sauce stain.
Ms Yerevanian explained how a man had approached her and told her she had something on her back.
‘I took my hand and I put it on my back and then looked at my hand and there was what seemed to be ketchup all over it. Someone had sprayed ketchup all over my coat,’ Ms Yerevanian recalled.
After ignoring the first man the Battersea resident was then approached by a second who tried to strike up a conversation.
At this point alarm bells started to ring and Ms Yerevanian realised what was happening.
‘The moment that I knew this was a distraction I put my duffel bag on my luggage and put both my hands on it like I’m guarding it’, she said.
‘I got really scared when I realized that this is not one person. This is a few people acting together.
‘I was terrified. I felt so violated because my my space was invaded. There was stuff on my coat, it was just a very scary and strange feeling.’
Fortunately Ms Yerevanian managed to escape the men after ditching her Uber and running across the road to get a taxi.
Although she managed to keep all her belongings Ms Yerevanian’s £4,455 coat was ruined by the ketchup.
She said: ‘I don’t want to sound superficial by saying my coat is ruined because thank God none of my stuff was taken away.
‘But I also think of all the women that have had their stuff taken away. Imagine feeling mortified and upset and then realizing on top of it you were you were literally scammed and fooled, and now you’ve lost your things.’
Ms Yerevanian believes the crooks are operating as part of a sophisticated crime group and fears their will be many more victims.
Earlier this month reality TV personality Yasmine Zweegers became the victim of a nearly identical scam.
She revealed how scammers had used paint to distract her before they took off with her jewelry and clothes.
Ms Zweegers had been waiting outside Kings Cross St Pancras station and was about to get into an Uber when a man called out to her, warning her she had something on her back.
He then offered Ms Zweegers a tissue to clean the mess from her coat – before her bag was snatched.
Like Ms Yerevanian, Ms Zweegers also expects the scammers to strike again and thinks the man who warned her about the paint was acting as part of a team.
Both women reported the incidents to the police.
