Nothing quite beats the thrill that you feel in your chest when it comes down to travelling abroad. After all, the prospect of exploring faraway lands and immersing yourself in a different culture altogether is well and truly an exciting prospect.
But it is also worth bearing in mind that when charting your voyage abroad, it is probably a good idea to read up on your destination ahead of time, so that you are aware of any tourist traps or potential dangers that you may fall victim to when on vacation.
Malaysian tourist catches London pickpocket red-handed
Chief among these crimes that tourists often experience are pickpockets, who are quick to strike during prime moments of vulnerability such as those busy with sightseeing. Thankfully in the case of local netizen Izz_akrm, he managed to catch one such petty thief just in time before he lost any of his valuables to sticky fingers.
In a video that was shared to his TikTok profile recently, Izz recounts how he had been walking out and about along London’s popular Oxford Street with a couple of friends. As one of the city’s most popular shopping districts, the area is often packed with locals and tourists alike, making it a prime hotspot for At the time, he had been filming his stroll with a camera, when his group was suddenly followed by three strangers from behind them.
Appearing to crowd up against Izz and his friends at every opportunity they got without their knowledge, one who was wearing a black-and-white checkered scarf then boldly reached over to tug the zipper of Izz’s bag open when he was looking in another direction.
However, the thief did not have enough time to rifle through his things on the first try. So instead, she waited for another opportunity to strike. To her chagrin on her second attempt, she was caught red-handed by Izz with her hand digging through his bag.
Yet despite being confronted over her actions, the culprit simply denied all accountability before walking away as though nothing had happened and that she did nothing wrong.
Netizens share their own experiences
The video, which has since gone viral, has led to many Malaysian travellers sharing their own insights and experiences on the matter. Some joked that pickpockets abroad have ‘academies’, where losers who are caught get eliminated weekly, and winners get the title of ‘Best Pickpocket’. Others point out that these pickpockets are expertly trained.
“Those abroad have academies for pickpockets. The loser is eliminated every week, and the winner gets to call themselves the Best Pickpocket.”
“They follow training classes for pickpockets. There are groups. My friend once lost his wallet, even though it was stashed in a deep pocket.”
One netizen points out that Izz was actually being tailed by five pickpocket thieves, and not just three.
“Not three, but there are five in total who act as coverline from the back.”
A netizen even shared how she lost £300 (RM1,599.30) to a pickpocket while shopping in Primark.
So if you’re planning on travelling abroad, always be sure to be aware of your surroundings at all times!
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