A Japanese traveler experienced a theft when using a taxi in Buenos Aires. After arriving at their destination and attempting to retrieve their backpack from the trunk, the taxi suddenly drove off with the backpack still inside.
Here are the details:
- Incident Overview
- Date and Time: May 13, 2024 (Monday)
- Location: Retiro Bus Terminal, Buenos Aires
- Victim and Loss Details:
- Victim: Japanese female traveler
- Items Stolen: 1 backpack (containing an iPad, camera, cash (Japanese yen and US dollars), credit cards, and personal items); no injuries reported.
- Incident Description: The victim arranged a taxi through their hostel to the Retiro Bus Terminal. After paying and getting out of the vehicle, the victim went to retrieve their backpack from the trunk. At this point, the taxi suddenly drove away with the backpack. The victim reported the incident to the hostel, which contacted the taxi company. However, the driver denied any involvement.
- Safety Measures
- General Caution: Taxis operating in Buenos Aires have been known to target foreigners and tourists, whether they are radio taxis or private taxis. When booking a taxi through a hostel, be aware that drivers might intend to steal luggage or that the hostel and driver might conspire together. Using ride-hailing apps that provide driver information, ratings, route details, and fare estimates can help reduce the risk of theft.
- Protecting Your Belongings:
- Verify that the driver has exited the vehicle before you do when leaving items in the taxi trunk.
- Settle the fare only after retrieving your belongings from the trunk. Taking these precautions helps safeguard your luggage.
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