The Clever Travel Companion Updates
Bus Pickpocket Caught In Action August 29 2017, 0 Comments
If you're a fan of Clever Travel Companion, you'll be more than aware of the methods pickpockets use to get their grubby paws on victims valuables, even if you're new to this site, you probably have some idea of how they go about their business but how many of us can say we've actually spotted them in action? Well the below CCTV footage from China captures a perfect example of a slippery, albeit clumsy thief in action - as did the bus driver...
As you can see from the video, the thief identifies his victim and his target early, realizing that she has multiple open bags, is rushing for a bus and will at some point become vulnerable. The one thing he didn't count on was the bus driver spotting him. However, consider the bus driver not being there, it is clear the victim has no idea what has happened despite realizing she and the thief have come into contact. She's probably more concerned about getting on the right bus and paying for a ticket - the pickpocket on the other hand probably plans to pretend he has boarding the wrong bus by mistake and will make a quick getaway once the victim is safely aboard, doors are closed and the bus is driving away, as is common with public transport robbery methods.
Watching the video it becomes easy to see how pickpocketing is still a major crime and people are still not only getting away with it but making a darn good living out of doing so! Check out the gang who made over 1million Euros targeting Disneyland families. In the above China case, the victim was lucky she had a helping hand and her thief was clumsy but let's be honest, it's probably not the first time he's done it and it wont be the last. I'm sure there are many women boarding buses and reaching for their phones that are no longer there thanks to this guy and many more pickpockets. The scary thing is, how many of us can relate to being in this situation? Panicking about getting on the right bus or train or plane even, focusing on getting a ticket bought and paid for whilst everyone is bustling to do the same? Is it worth losing your phone, passport, cash, cards or something more valuable over? No way.
So how do we prevent the above happening? Well if you're on this website, you'll know that we advocate Clever Travel Companion's 100% pickpocket proof gear for this. Just imagine if the victim in the video had put her phone in one of CTC's Leggings secret pockets? The thief would have had no chance.
But that's not all you can do. Make sure you don't have open bags and look like you're in a hurry, stay very aware of your surroundings and who might be watching you or approaching you.
Hero Coffee Shop Owner Tackles Pickpocket! August 23 2017, 0 Comments
For information and tips on how to stay safe and out of harms way, check out our travel safety tips guide or better yet, pick up some pickpocket proof travel gear and keep your valuables to yourself at all times.
Tourist catches pickpocket, gives thief some money for petrol! July 31 2017, 0 Comments
A not so Clever Traveler who had her pocket picked in Bali then made the surprising choice to treat the thief with kindness — even giving her some money to buy petrol — is winning kudos after the undated video of the act went viral, with nearly 30,000 views since it was shared on YouTube in the first week.
The video opens with people crowding around a young woman—the purported thief—who is stopped on the side of the road next to her motorbike (which has a Bali area plate), her helmet is still even on. Given the starting point of the footage, it’s not clear how exactly the girl made off with the wallet and just how she was apprehended on the side of the road but it seems the theft was successful, until the thief was caught.
The video continues with a local man thumbing through the girl’s wallet, looking for her identity card and then hands it to a foreigner—purported victim—who takes a picture of it.
Pause for a brief moment while the guy capturing the video on his phone turns the camera on himself for a little selfie action.
When questioned, the wallet snatcher claims she stole from the tourist because she needed money to buy gasoline.
The tourist’s response to this was definitely not how most would react. Instead of hauling the girl off to the police station to file a report or showing any aggression whatsoever, the woman told the girl “not to do this ever again” and let this be a “lesson.”
They hugged it out, embracing. Then the tourist gave the girl back some of the money that had been stolen, saying to use it for gas.
“Okay, done,” the tourist said, urging everyone to break it up and get out of there. The video concludes with the girl speeding off on her motorbike.
Hope that’s a lesson she’ll never forget! We’ve got to wonder though how the outcome may have been different if the thief were male or the victim less understanding. When thieves are caught in Bali, it’s not uncommon for a mob to form, and deliver their own response of violent street justice.
We can only imagine the video text and comments are questioning why the tourist wasn't wearing Clever travel Companion gear or recommending to others that she should have been to avoid the situation altogether :).