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Eslite denounces how-to-steal cards

Bookstore chain Eslite yesterday denied it had any connection with small cards found between the pages of books in several of its stores that gave instructions on how to steal books. The store has vowed to take legal action against whoever distributed the cards and anyone who follows the instructions.

Since the end of April, bookstore employees and customers have found more than 70 such cards with information on how to steal books from Eslite bookstores in Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung and Tainan, Eslite spokeswoman Chang Shu-yuan (張淑媛) told a press conference in Taipei yesterday.

The cards give instructions on how to remove anti-theft tags from books and what tools are required to steal books. Detectors by the doors of bookstores sound only if a customer tries to take out a book with an anti-theft tag still attached. The cards also advise prospective thieves to act calmly when stealing books so that the company’s employees don’t notice.

The bookmark-shaped cards are professionally printed with drawings showing each step in removing anti-theft tags with captions underneath each diagram. At the top of the card is the logo of the bookstore.

“Eslite has nothing to do with these how-to-steal cards and whoever printed them has committed several offenses under the Criminal Code,” Chang said. “We will not tolerate such actions and have reported the incidents to the police. We urge whoever is behind this to stop acting illegally and remind the public not to follow the instructions on the cards because they would be committing a crime if they did so.”

Chang said the person or persons who distributed the cards would be prosecuted for incitement, while those who follow the instructions could be prosecuted for theft.

Meanwhile, Eslite said it would also file a lawsuit against the person or persons who printed the cards for unauthorized use of its corporate logo.

Chang said the number of books stolen had not increased since the cards began appearing.

She declined to speculate on the motivation behind the distribution of the cards or who may be behind it.
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