Brazil: Occurrence of Robbery with Injury on the Street

1. Date and Time of Incident Between 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM on April 12 (Friday)

2. Location Near Praça da Liberdade, São Paulo

3. Incident Summary The victim, a Japanese national, had finished dining at a Japanese restaurant in the Liberdade district and was heading alone to their hostel while holding a smartphone. The victim was robbed of the smartphone by an unknown assailant. The victim fell due to the shock of the theft and sustained abrasions and bruises on their face, hands, and limbs. The number and description of the assailants are unknown, but it is believed that they approached from behind. Although the area where the incident occurred was not dark, there were few pedestrians.

4. Stolen Item Smartphone

5. Crime Prevention Measures (1) Multiple incidents of robbery involving Japanese nationals have occurred in the Centro district, Liberdade district, and around Paulista Avenue, both day and night. If you need to visit these areas, avoid moving alone or walking whenever possible. (2) Keep your belongings to a minimum when going out, and avoid carrying valuables or, if necessary, carry them in separate places. (3) Smartphone thefts and robberies are frequent, so avoid using your smartphone in outdoor areas whenever possible. (4) Always stay vigilant when going out, and occasionally glance around to show awareness of your surroundings, which can be effective. (5) If you find yourself involved in an incident, do not resist, as this could be dangerous. Comply with the assailant’s demands, and do not make any sudden movements that could be perceived as an attempt to flee or resist.