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NIGHTMARE AT THE BANK: WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
It’s a busy day at your local bank.
You are standing in a long, disorganised queue, waiting to deposit a cheque into your account.
Suddenly, several armed men storm the building. They knock out the two security guards and take their weapons.
“If anyone moves...
If there is a chance for escape, it's now.
Quick! What do you do?
You have 10 seconds to decide
You dash for the door in a desperate attempt to escape.
Bad move. One of the young men panics, trains his gun on you and fires.
You black out as chaos ensues.
You have failed
☛ Norbert: A dash for the door has resulted in an adverse reaction by the assailants. Pro tip: if you were walking out while they were entering, then you may have continued to do so without being aggressive or in a hurry.
You hit the floor and shuffle quickly towards a nearby office.
You hear the gunshot first, followed by screams as you collapse to the ground.
You black out as chaos ensues.
You have failed
☛ Norbert:Make sure you do not make sudden moves or draw attention to yourself. Follow all reasonable instructions from the robbers. Pro tip: if you were walking out while they were entering, then you may have continued to do so without being aggressive or in a hurry.
You obey instructions and stand very still.
☛ Norbert: Good idea. A dash for the door could have resulted in an adverse reaction by the assailants. Pro tip: if you were walking out while they were entering, then you may have continued to do so, without being aggressive or in a hurry.
The robbers begin to shout orders...
You note that they are young and nervous. They seem to have never done this before, making the situation all the more dangerous.
One of them orders the cashiers to empty their counters and place all the money in a bag.
The cashiers do not resist.
Another robber goes down a flight of steps...
A third gun-weilding youth rounds you up along with everyone else on the floor.
“Hand over your wallets, phones, watches, jewellery, everything. EVERYTHING.”
The man looks cruel. He means business. But you are in a packed crowd.
Perhaps he won't notice if you hold onto your phone?
You hand over everything just as the robber ordered.
☛ Norbert: Handing over your phone was a good idea. Almost everyone carries a phone and the criminals know that. Adhere to all reasonable instructions from the criminals. Make sure you do not make sudden moves when handing over belongings as this may alarm the robber.
Things just got worse. An elderly gentleman standing next to you is panicking.
Old man (whispering anxiously):What do I do? What do I do? This is my pension. I can’t hand it over. I won't hand it over!
The crowd is scared and hard to manage, and the robber isn't paying close attention. You succeed in holding on to your phone.
☛ Norbert: Bad move. Not handing over your phone has endangered your life. Almost everyone carries a phone and the criminals know that. Also, is your phone on silent? What happens if it rings? You don't want to draw attention for any reason.
Things just got worse. An elderly gentleman standing next to you is panicking.
Old man (whispering anxiously):What do I do? What do I do? This is my pension. I can’t hand it over. I won't hand it over!
You stay silent, which protects you from harm.
☛ Norbert: Avoid talking to others when you may be observed. It could be perceived as you plotting to disarm the robbers.
The old man tries his best to squeeze out the back of the crowd, but he's spotted.
The now-agitated robber pushes you aside and points his gun right at the senior citizen.
The old man doesn't care though. He attempts an escape, but is hit hard over the head by the young assailant.
Blood gushes and the old man falls to the ground moaning.
What do you do?
You stay silent, which protects you from harm.
☛ Norbert: Avoid talking to others when you may be observed. It could be perceived as you plotting to disarm the robbers.
The old man tries his best to squeeze out the back of the crowd, but he's spotted.
The now-agitated robber pushes you aside and points his gun right at the senior citizen.
The old man doesn't care though. He attempts an escape, but is hit hard over the head by the young assailant.
Blood gushes and the old man falls to the ground moaning.
What do you do?
You do nothing.
☛ Norbert: This is generally a good idea. Avoid rushing to help someone who may be injured. If you must, seek permission from the assailant and only move if they agree.
The old man continues to moan on the floor and then passes out.
The robbers have now gathered everyone’s belongings, gotten all the money from the cashiers, and are striding around menacingly while waiting for their accomplice who went down to the safe.
And then.
Your phone rings.
Robber one: You kept your phone? YOU KEPT YOUR PHONE?!
The enraged young man slugs you in the chest. You fall to the floor moaning, but he doesn't stop there. The man kicks you hard.
You're now bleeding and badly bruised.
You do nothing.
☛ Norbert: This is generally a good idea. Avoid rushing to help someone who may be injured. If you must, seek permission from the assailant and only move if they agree.
The old man continues to moan on the floor and then passes out.
The robbers have now gathered everyone’s belongings, gotten all the money from the cashiers, and are striding around menacingly while waiting for their accomplice who went down to the safe.
Oddly enough, some of them have entered the bank without masks. Perhaps they're foolish. Perhaps they don't care if they are recognised.
Do you want to...
You pretend to pass out and thankfully the assault ends.
But the relative calm is shattered by gunshots from downstairs.
The robbers on your floor panic, unsure of what is going on.
Quick! What do you do?
You have 15 seconds to decide
You (whispering): Just hand everything ove...
CRACK
A now-very-angry robber hits you over the head with his pistol.
☛ Norbert: Don’t try to be a hero or draw attention to yourself. Avoid talking to others when you may be observed. It could be perceived as you plotting to disarm the robbers.
You fall to the floor, blinded by pain.
The young man kicks you. You're now bleeding and badly bruised. You fear he won't stop and no one in the crowd appears willing to help.
You tackle the robber as he is about to kick you again. The young man falls to the ground with a yell.
Emboldened by your frantic attempt, two of the hostages rush the other robbers, while one young woman runs towards the exit.
"STOP! ALL OF YOU STOP OR I'LL SHOOT!"
It's too late though.
Pandemonium erupts, followed by a volley of gunshots that take you down.
You have failed, and caused harm to others.
☛ Norbert: Do not tackle an armed assailant unless you’re absolutely sure not doing so will result in you being killed.
You risk it all and make a mad dash for the door.
But your bruised body refuses to respond. As you fling yourself forward, you hear someone yell out, followed by blinding pain.
You pass out from a kick to the head.
You have failed
Your instinct is to rush to help the old man, but it’s a bad one.
Your sudden movement alarms the robbers. One nervous young man pulls the trigger.
In the distance you hear police sirens, but it's too late. You pass out from the pain.
You have failed
☛ Norbert: Avoid rushing to help someone who may be injured; if you must, seek permission from the assailant and only move if they agree.
You (very meekly): Excuse me, may I help him? He’s bleeding quite heavily...
Robber (unsure): Okay...Go ahead. But. If you do anything else, I will shoot you.
☛ Norbert: Avoid rushing to help someone who may be injured. If you must, seek permission from the assailant and only move if they agree.
You thank the robber, quickly tear your shirt sleeve and bandage the old man’s head. You then return to stand with the others.
The robbers have now gathered everyone’s belongings, gotten all the money from the cashiers, and are striding around anxiously, waiting for their accomplice who went down to the safe.
Oddly enough, some of them have entered the bank without masks. Perhaps they are foolish. Perhaps they don't care if they are recognised.
Do you want to...
You begin to scan each criminal’s face carefully, making mental notes for later.
Unfortunately, you are caught doing so.
One very angry robber kicks you senseless. You pass out from the pain.
You have failed
☛ Norbert: You should not stare at the assailants. They perceive this as an attempt to recognise them and could harm you. Don’t try to be a hero or draw attention to yourself. Pro tip: if a robber says don’t look at him, look elsewhere. It will distract you from the aggressive demeanour and help calm you.
You don’t want to risk being caught staring. You fix your gaze on the floor instead.
☛ Norbert: You should not stare at the assailants. Don't try to be a hero. If they perceive this as an attempt to recognise them, they could harm you. Pro tip: if a robber says don’t look at him, look elsewhere. It will distract you from his aggressive demeanour and help calm you.
The relative calm is suddenly shattered by gunshots...
The robbers on your floor panic, start cursing and open fire, shooting at the ceiling and walls.
Do you want to...
You have 9 seconds to decide
You stay low and get behind a desk.
☛ Norbert: Good idea. In case of gunfire drop to the floor and seek cover behind something sturdy, a counter, a column, desk. Do not stand up and run in the path of the gunmen.
The robber who went downstairs comes running up. He is seriously wounded.
His companions yell out, fire into the air some more and then dash out the door.
What do you do?
You make a mad dash for the door in a desperate attempt to escape.
Unfortunately, less than halfway there the now-desparate robbers fire right at you.
In the distance you hear police sirens. Pandemonium breaks loose as you pass out.
You have failed
You run out the door, hoping to catch a glimpse of which direction the robbers are making their get-away.
Unfortunately, they are right outside.
The young men fire a few shots in your direction as they ride off.
You are hit by a bullet and fly back into the bank.
You pass out from the pain.
☛ Norbert: Do not chase after the robbers once they’ve fled not even to try and see where they’re headed. Remain in your place until a bank official or law enforcement says it’s safe to move.
You stay exactly where you are.
A few minutes later, the police show up.
☛ Norbert: Do not chase after the robbers once they’ve fled, not even to try and see where they’re headed. Remain in your place until a bank official or law enforcement officer says it’s safe to move.
CONGRATULATIONS
You are in a state of shock, but have survived the bank robbery.
Play the game again ► to explore different paths and outcomes, or read more advice from security expert Norbert Almeida below.
Things to remember
While at the bank
- Observe your surroundings while walking in and out, look for anything and anyone suspicious. If you sense anything wrong, walk away.
- Avoid using your mobile; while it may be inconvenient banks discourage its use because it is often used to provide intelligence to criminals. This information doesn’t necessarily result in a bank hold up but it has been known to provide tips to those waiting outside to target a customer leaving with large sums of cash.
- If you are with someone, especially children, don’t get separated and ensure you leave together.
When choosing which branch to visit
- Select a branch that is situated in an area that is more secure and less prone to incidents of any crime.
- Choose a branch that has visible and alert security at all times.
- A branch that doesn’t have long waiting time. Online banking facilities permits you to bank at any branch. Choose wisely.
When an incident has happened
- Cash and your belongings in your possession are not the bank’s responsibility and will not be reimbursed by them.
- Reimbursement of cash handed over to the teller is also subject to terms and conditions of the bank. Ensure that you report this loss, especially if you don’t have a stamped deposit slip for the cash.
- Cash withdrawn at gunpoint from you from the ATM inside the bank during the hold-up may or may not be reimbursable per the bank’s terms and conditions. However, do report to them such a loss immediately.
- Inform the police that respond to the incident about the loss of your ID documents and valuables as they may either incorporate it as part of the report they file or then guide you to the police station to make an individual complaint.
You hit the floor and shuffle quickly towards a nearby office.
You hear the gunshot first, followed by screams as you collapse to the ground.
You black out as chaos ensues.
You have failed
☛ Norbert: Make sure you do not make sudden moves or draw attention to yourself. Follow all reasonable instructions from the robbers. Pro tip: if you were walking out while they were entering, then you may have continued to do so without being aggressive or in a hurry.