Argentina: Ketchup Robbery at Retiro Bus Terminal in Buenos Aires

Points: A Japanese national was a victim of a ketchup robbery at the Retiro Bus Terminal in Buenos Aires. The area around the station is known for frequent thefts and other crimes, so please exercise extreme caution when visiting.

Details: An incident involving a Japanese national has occurred, as follows:

1. Incident Overview:
   • Date and Time: Around 2:40 PM on February 16, 2023
   • Location: Retiro Bus Terminal, Buenos Aires
   • Victim’s Loss: Backpack containing passport, mobile phone, cash, credit cards, etc.
   • Perpetrator: A woman estimated to be in her 50s or 60s
   • Incident Details:
     • The victim was walking at the Retiro Bus Terminal when a woman persistently spoke to them from behind. Ignoring the woman, the victim was eventually approached by her, who stood directly in front of them.
     • When the victim stopped, the woman pointed out that the victim’s clothing was dirty. Upon inspection, the victim found that a foul-smelling paint-like liquid had been spilled on their clothing, backpack, and hair.
     • The woman then convinced the victim to place their backpack on a ticket counter and offered to help clean the victim’s clothing with tissues. While the victim kept an eye on the backpack, the woman used both hands to distract the victim by cleaning their hair, during which the backpack was stolen.
     • When the woman left and the victim noticed, the backpack was gone. The entire event lasted about five minutes.
2. Preventive Measures:
   • Area Security: The Retiro station area is adjacent to a slum known as “Villa,” which has long had issues with crime including theft and robbery. On February 14, 2023, a police officer was shot and killed while intervening in an argument in the area. In 2022, there were three theft incidents involving Japanese nationals in the Retiro area. Be extremely cautious if approached by strangers and keep your belongings secure.
   • Robbery Method: This case is a typical example of a “ketchup robbery.” Perpetrators often work in groups and use substances like ketchup, mustard, or paint to create a distraction while one or more individuals steal the victim’s belongings.
   • Minimizing Theft: To minimize loss if you are targeted, do not keep all valuables such as passports, mobile phones, credit cards, and cash in a single backpack. Use a waist pouch or other secure bags to distribute these items.
   • Dangerous Areas: The Villa slum is a dangerous area where even police are hesitant to enter. In 2019, a Japanese tourist who entered the Villa out of curiosity was a victim of a strangulation robbery. If you can track stolen items using mobile phone tracking features, do not attempt to retrieve them yourself.