S'porean man, 42, loses up to S$1,000 in valuables after anti-theft bag gets stolen during Europe trip

A Singaporean man, who had purchased a specially designed anti-theft backpack for his Europe trip, lost up to S$1,000 worth of cash and valuables after the bag was stolen aboard a train.

Speaking to Chinese-language daily Shin Min Daily News, the man, Chen Yuneng (transliteration), departed for New York, Frankfurt and Brussels on Apr. 19.

Backpack was stolen on a train

Six days into his trip, while travelling by train from Frankfurt to Brussels-South station, the 42-year-old noticed that his backpack, which he had placed on the overhead luggage rack, had gone missing, about 10 minutes before the train was due to arrive.

His stolen bag contained approximately S$500 in cash, two credit cards, three debit cards, his identity card, earphones, a jacket and medication.

Though Chen immediately alerted the police and contacted his banks to freeze his accounts, fraudulent transactions had already been made using his cards, resulting in a loss of S$315.

His total losses came to around S$1,000.

"Fortunately, I still had my phone, passport and laptop, and could still make purchases using Apple Pay," he said.

Had taken precautions beforehand

Chen told Shin Min he had been well aware of petty theft risks in Europe before his trip, and had spent more than S$50 on an anti-theft backpack as a precaution.

He added that he had remained vigilant throughout his trip, refraining from wearing headphones and avoiding individuals who looked suspicious.

"But I still ended up in trouble," he said. "Although I had travel insurance, it only covers lost items, and I was required to provide receipts, so I still had to bear part of the loss."

Chen said he spent much of the three-hour train ride working on his laptop and said he only closed his eyes to rest briefly for a few minutes each time.

An elderly man who was seated beside him later told Chen that someone had approached him to chat and even handed him a book before leaving the carriage with a backpack, leading Chen to believe that it was a distraction tactic used by the thief.

After he got off the train, Chen said he heard a conductor announce over the public address system that pickpockets had been active on the train and urged passengers to remain vigilant.

Tips for staying safe abroad

The Society of Tourist Guides Singapore (STGS) advised travellers heading to Europe and the United States to keep a low profile, avoid displaying designer goods, and store their passports and large sums of cash separately.

On public transport, backpacks should be worn across the chest rather than on the back, and mobile phones secured with anti-theft straps.

Travellers should also check accommodation reviews and safety ratings before booking, and ensure their luggage is locked when entering and leaving their rooms.

Should they encounter suspicious interactions, they should remove themselves from the situation promptly.

When dining out, bag straps should be looped around a table or chair leg or kept on the body.

For those on road trips, no bags or clothing should be left visible in the vehicle, regardless of whether valuables are inside, to deter break-ins.

The former president of STGS also noted that many such thefts are carried out by organised groups, and that filing a police report rarely leads to the recovery of stolen property.

"Reporting to the police can only serve as a basis for insurance or compensation claims," he said. "We still have to take every precaution we can."