1. Incident Overview
- Date: January 14, 2022
- Time: Around 7:30 AM
- Location: Near 822 San Martín Street, Retiro District, Buenos Aires (about 50 meters north of Galerías Pacífico)
- Items Stolen: Passport, mobile phone, credit cards, cash, laptop, headphones, and other items from a backpack
- Details:
- The victim was walking when they felt a cold liquid on their back, initially thinking it was water dripping from an air conditioning unit.
- An unknown man tapped the victim’s shoulder and gestured that their clothes and backpack were dirty.
- Upon inspection, the victim found that the liquid was white paint. The man then used tissues to clean the dirt from the victim’s backpack and clothes, instructing the victim to place the backpack on the street.
- After cleaning the victim’s back, the man walked towards the direction of Galerías Pacífico. At this point, the victim realized their backpack had been stolen.
- Another man appeared at the intersection, pointing towards Tres Sargentos Street, but when the victim ran there, no one was present. The area was deserted at the time.
2. Precautions
- (1) Carry your backpack in front of you rather than on your back.
- (2) Avoid walking during early morning or late evening when pedestrian traffic is low.
- (3) Stick to well-trafficked streets and occasionally look behind you or around to ensure you are not being followed or watched.
- (4) Keep valuables like passports, phones, and keys separated to limit the impact in case of theft.
- (5) The Retiro District is known for “ketchup robberies,” where a group of criminals uses liquid (like ketchup) to distract and steal from victims. The roles typically include applying the liquid, pretending to help clean, and then stealing belongings.
- (6) If you are splashed with a liquid and approached, recognize the possibility of a “ketchup robbery.” Understand that it is unusual for a passerby to clean the mess and calmly leave the area as quickly as possible without panicking.
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