A BBC Radio 4 investigation has uncovered a serial thief targeting women at London gyms, stealing phones and bank cards from lockers and emptying accounts. Journalist Shari Vahl from the You and Yours programme spoke to multiple victims with near-identical experiences, each losing thousands of pounds.
The thief exploits a security loophole: after stealing a phone and card, they register the card on a banking app using their own device. The bank sends a verification code to the stolen phone, which appears on the lock screen, allowing the thief to gain full access to the account. Victims reported high-value purchases at stores like Harrods, Apple, Selfridges, and Balenciaga, as well as cash withdrawals and fast-food meals.
Victims include Alina, who lost £10,000 from a Virgin gym in Finchley Road; Harriet, who lost £7,500 from a GymBox; and Charlotte, who lost £8,000 from a gym in Chiswick. Others were targeted in Putney, Mill Hill, and Notting Hill. The Met Police had previously closed individual cases, but Vahl's findings suggest a link.
The perpetrator is believed to be female, operating alone, and able to enter women's locker rooms without suspicion. Gyms like Virgin Active, PureGym, and GymBox allow members to use a single pass for multiple locations, making it easy for criminals to gain access. Security expert Mike Salt noted that locker rooms lack cameras due to privacy, and people are often not vigilant while changing.
The most effective prevention is to avoid leaving phones and cards together, especially in phone cases. Disabling lock screen notifications for verification codes can also thwart the thief. Vahl emphasised that gym passes are highly prized by criminals, who use stolen ones to access lockers.
