On July 16 (Tue.) and 28 (Sun.), a Japanese national was the victim of pickpocketing around Sukhbaatar Square in Ulaanbaatar.
Since Sukhbaatar Square is a tourist spot visited by many tourists and pickpockets have been targeting foreign tourists in the past, special attention should be paid to this area.
All victims have had their bags unzipped while walking, so please remain vigilant during your stay to avoid becoming a victim of theft by remaining alert to the fact that your cash and valuables are being targeted, and always keep your backpacks and bags in sight.
1 Incidents of pickpocketing
(1) Case 1 (Attempted theft)
Date and time of occurrence: Tuesday, July 16, around 3:00 p.m.
Location: In the park on the south side of the Central Tower (southeast of Sukhbaatar Square)
Summary: A Japanese national was walking alone in the park when he felt something wrong with the backpack he was carrying. He immediately checked the contents of the backpack and found nothing stolen.
(2) Case 2 (Theft of cash)
Date and time of occurrence: Sunday, July 28, around 4:00 p.m.
Location: On the sidewalk at the signal intersection southeast of the Central Post Office (southwest of Sukhbaatar Square)
Summary: Four Japanese nationals started walking when the pedestrian signal turned green at an intersection. While the Japanese walking ahead were surprised to see what was going on, one of the men opened the zipper of his shoulder pouch and stole the wallet he had inside. Later, another man approached the Japanese man to say that he had picked up his wallet, and the man realized that his wallet had been stolen and that the cash was missing from his wallet.
2 Crime prevention points
Since pickpockets often target foreigners, remain vigilant and aware that your belongings may be targeted during your stay in Japan.
Keep your backpack or pouch in sight at all times, as they can be opened without you noticing, or cut with a knife, etc.
Pickpockets often operate in crowded or secluded areas, so keep an eye on your belongings when you are on a bus or in an elevator.
If you see a suspicious person approaching, leave the area immediately and ask for help from a police officer on the street or someone around you.
If you are threatened with a knife or other weapon, do not resist and comply with the offender’s demands. If you try to take back the damaged goods or otherwise provoke the offender, the likelihood of being assaulted with a weapon will increase.
If you are the victim of a crime, report it to the police (102) in Mongolian or English. (2) The police will be notified in English or Mongolian.
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