Members of the public are being urged to remain vigilant as police work to dismantle an international crime gang suspected of a string of jewellery heists across Sydney.
Four Chilean men are behind bars after facing court over their alleged roles in the burglaries as police hunt more offenders.
The men - aged 23, 30, 43 and 52 - were hauled before Liverpool Local Court on Monday charged over more than 17 robberies committed in the past two months.
They were all arrested at Sydney airport on Saturday. Two were pulled off a plane bound for Santiago at the last minute.
They're believed to have been in Australia on tourist or student visas.
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None of the men applied for bail and it was formally refused. They are due back in court on November 13.
The group are accused of staking out banks and jewellery stores to find victims carrying cash and valuables.
It will be alleged they distracted their victims, slashing their car tyres, spilling drinks on them or engaging them in conversation by asking for directions while other members robbed them.
The brazen robberies have prompted police to issue a warning to the public to remain on guard, especially those who have just completed banking transactions or are in possession of jewellery.
"We also encourage that if you do have any financial banking to do, you do so in a group and you go with other members and you keep property on you at all times," Detective Superintendent Murray Chapman told reporters on Monday.
"If you are approached in your vehicle do not get out of your vehicle, lock your doors and ring police."
The bandits used earpieces and wore hats and glasses to disguise their identities and are believed to have netted $600,000 in cash and jewels.
"They certainly would fall into the confidence trickster category, having said that, they're also cowards, they're preying on elderly people, on vulnerable people," Det Chapman said.
The syndicate also hit a large jewellery fair in Sydney where they were caught on camera before fleeing with a large amount of jewellery.
Investigators have released security footage as they search for more offenders.
