'Rolex ripper' gangs stalk celebrity social media profiles before rare timepieces are stolen

‘Rolex ripper’ gangs are stalking celebrities’ social media profiles in search of rare and expensive watches before taking them by force.

The thugs, aware of the value of these timepieces, are robbing people on the street using knives and guns to pressgang victims into handing over their valuables.

The wealthy have been targeted, as have celebrities including former boxer Amir Khan, who was robbed at gunpoint leaving a restaurant with his wife in Leyton, east London, in April last year.  

One expert says the trend has become so bad that ‘you can’t go out to dinner’ in parts of the capital and that people should be wary of flaunting their wealth on social media.

A gang dubbed the ‘Rolex Rippers’ went on a brutal 18-day crime spree in southwest London over Christmas 2021 and New Year 2022. 

Using machetes and Zombie knives, they terrorised victims in the capital into handing over their valuables.

The gang were caught by the Met’s Flying Squad after a high speed chase forced them to leave behind crucial evidence in their car.

Two of the gang, who are still awaiting sentencing, were found to have photos brazenly posing with their ill-gotten gains.

Source of data and images: dailymail