Theft & Pickpocketing, Kuala Lumpur

There were many reports of hand-bag snatching in the newspapers some months ago especially when the cases resulted in severe injury or death.

SO be careful, don't be too conspicuous !

I have witnessed a snatch robbery in broad daylight, when a pair of men on a motorcycle came from behind a couple and snatched the bag of the girl who was nearer the road ........ and they boy did nothing ......... too shocked and dumbfounded .........

Apparently KL has quite a reputation for petty theft, and I have to say that when here I was almost the victim of this kind of crime for the first time in my life!

We had just got onto a crowded LRT train at Pasar Seni, with bodies of fellow passengers crushed up against us all around.

Luckily we guard each other's backs when in situations like this and quickly became aware that something might be up as a nearby passenger seemed to be snaking his arm around me like a contortionist feeling for valuables.

I was able to turn and position myself so that I could monitor him, but although we were fairly certain what had happened, we could not be 100% sure to confront him with unpredictable consequences...

He left at the next stop. He was young, slightly built and (cliche) 'shifty-looking'.

Remember, always follow common sense with valuables - the reason nothing was taken from me was that I had nothing of value that could easily be stolen...

Don't let carelessness ruin your holiday!

P.S. Although my picture is a street scene, it could easily happen here as well as on the LRT.

KL is pretty much a safe place and our crime rates arent as high as other major cities. However, do take precaution and be a little more aware of your surrondings. Snatch thieves are pretty common in KL. (i've heard of cases where they come riding in a bike and snatch your bag from behind) Avoid carrying small handbags, it would be better to carry a backpack instead.
Try to avoid walking alone esp. at night, its always better if you have a partner.

*** Alert !!! ***

Ladies please be CAREFULL with your handbags while walking on streets.
Pay close attention to motorbikes from behind. They then to ride slowly first and then grabbing your bag and then just scooting off while you would have probably have fallen down and probably hurt from the fall.

Report the incident to the nearest police station.

Just an update: Please stay clear of unfamiliar places.
 
Many people have lost their personal belongings right from the time they arrive at the airport all the way to the hotel rooms.

----------My WARNING----------

1. When you arrive, ALWAYS keep an eye on your hand luggage, lap top, cell phone even your check-in bag.

2. When you exit a bus/taxi/train, ALWAYS look behind your seat to see if you left anything behind.

3. [Ladies] When in the city, ALWAYS hold on to your purses/wallets very carefully as snatch theives are around. They operate by foot,motorbikes and even cars.

4. When eating, NEVER leave your cell phone/purse/wallet/pouch on the dining table or empty chair.

5. When at any counter(hotel,mall ect.) NEVER leave your bag unattended. Put it between your feet or simply use it around you.

6. When taking a taxi in KL, ALWAYS make sure the meter is running. If the taxi man refuses to run the meter, politely get out and look for another.

7. When renting a car/van, NEVER leave your personal belongings unattended and ALWAYS lock the doors. There have been cases where a rider on bike will open door and take purse/laptop and ride off.

8. When in bars/clubs, NEVER get too sloshed/drunk. You might wake up minus wallet. [Ladies] Never leave your drink unattended.

9. When you leave your hotel room, NEVER leave your passport or personal belongings there. ALWAYS put it in the hotel reception safe before going out.

10. When bargaining at markets, ALWAYS bargin for something you like but don't make such a silly offer.
 

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1.NEVER CARRY MORE MONEY THAN RM 50 ( USD 10 )
2.USE A SLING BAG
3.CARRY MORE MONEY IN YOUR SHOES ( PUT IN YOUR SOCK )
4.ALWAYS WALK I A GROUP
5.FRIENDLY WITH OTHER MALAYSIAN
6.ALWAYS WALK COUNTER WISE
7.BEWARE WITH THE MOTORIST ESPECIALLY DOUBLE SEAT .
8.ALWAYS CHAIN YOUR WALLET TO YOUR BODY.
9.ALWAYS KEEP IN YOUR POCKET PEPPER SPRAY OR ANYTHING CAN IMMOBILIZED THE PICKPOCKET( USE WATER GUN WITH PEPPER POWDER )

LOCATION ; UNKNOWN URBAN AREA

I'm sad to say that in a friendly country such as Malaysia, crimes do happen in the most vicious way. Many people, especially women and the elderly, have become victims of the notorious snatch thieves and ended up injured and for some even died. These crooks work in pairs on motorcycles, the pillion will snatch bags of unknowing victims off their shoulders or hands as they ride past them, causing injury as they fall and be dragged until the theives get hold of the bags. Be watchful as you walk by the roadsides and don't let your bags just hang over your shoulder. If possible, keep all valuables & cash in a pouch or in your pockets or wear a sling bag / backpack.

Please do be careful when in KL. The petty crime rate is quite high.

When I travel to KL on business, my KL colleagues will always remind me to be careful while on the streets. There are about 10 women in my KL office, and all of them have been victims of snatch thieves. One of them has a very bad injury on her shin to remind her of the theft for the rest of her life.

Do take care.

Pickpockets are bold in KL city, be alert while boarding public transport (bus, light rail, train...) there are eyes around you watching which pocket you put your valuables in. It is best to put your valuables in a zipped or deep pocket.

Try to avoid taking the public transport during rush hour (8am-9:30am; 6pm-7:30pm) because that is when the public transports get crowded and the pickpockets make their move

While boarding public transport, do be mindful of your bags as well. There are incidents where a snatch thief grabbed a passenger's bag just as the doors of the train was closing and ran off with it. The victim couldn't do anything as the train had already started moving.

So far only the KL monorail has guards stationed at the passenger platform.

Kuala Lumpur is a city infested with petty crime. If you are in the tourist areas of KL like Bukit Bintang, do be very careful when walking on the sidewalk next to the road. Ladies - do NOT carry a handbag with a long shoulder strap slung diagnonally across your chest. There are motorcycle snatch thieves who will drive past you, grab your handbag strap and yank away your handbag. You could sustain a nasty fall or worse, be dragged onto the oncoming traffic. Our local newspapers carry reports of such snatch thefts from time to time.