A 32-year-old Singaporean lawyer has shared his intense experience of being robbed in Barcelona and his relentless efforts to track down the culprits.
A 32-year-old Singaporean lawyer has shared his intense experience of being robbed in Barcelona and his relentless efforts to track down the culprits. Known on TikTok as Limey_dan, Daniel Lim recounted how his brief trip turned into a nightmare when he was targeted by thieves on Wednesday (11 December).
Lim had just collected his rental car from the airport and was leaving the parking garage when a stranger flagged him down, claiming there was an issue with his vehicle’s tyre. As he spoke to the driver, another car pulled up beside him, warning him that he couldn’t park there. In that split second, Lim’s bag—containing his passport, wallet, and car keys—was snatched from the front seat.
Speaking to AsiaOne, Lim described his emotions: “I was in shock, as I’ve never been pick-pocketed before, angry at the Albanian gang responsible, and worried because I had a return flight the next morning.” Despite his attempt to chase the thieves, he was unable to catch them.
After blocking his credit cards, Lim turned to his Samsung Galaxy Buds to track his stolen items. His search led him to an open-air café in Barcelona, where he confronted the gang he believed to be responsible. Rather than escalating the situation, Lim kept his composure, approaching the group calmly and expressing his intention to recover his belongings without violence.
One of the gang members eventually promised to return his passport, claiming it had been discarded near the airport. Lim took a selfie with the man—a precaution to have evidence should his items not be returned—before the gang dispersed.
Determined not to give up, Lim drove back to the airport, following the lead of the discarded belongings. Although initially unable to locate his items, he was fortunate to discover his stolen bag at the airport police station. A taxi driver had found it and brought it in. While €250 in cash was missing, his credit cards, keys, and passport were safely returned.
Although grateful to recover his valuables within six hours, Lim used his experience to highlight an important lesson: “Never trust anyone, even in places you believe are safe. I’ve always considered myself careful while travelling, and yet this happened to me.”
He added that the experience has been both a sobering reminder and a testament to how vulnerable anyone can become, regardless of how alert they are. Lim’s story serves as a cautionary tale for travellers everywhere to stay vigilant and trust cautiously.
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