We just had one of our bags swiped at the Retiro bus station in BA. Heard that is has been happening almost daily to backpackers, so be VERY careful and watch your stuff at all times.
Watch out for people trying to distract you, by asking you the time or some wierd questions in spanish that you don´t understand (that is what happened to us). Even clipping or tying our bags together would prevent someone from sneakily swiping your bag, which is what usually happens.
ultimate_addict
1
esterosdelibera
Previous report:
* A big problem in Retiro Buenos Aires bus station are thefts of luggage. Do not allow yourself to be distracted by anyone, always keep your bags in front of you and accounted for...even your huge rucksacks. We always watch our bags and knew about all the scams, but it still happened to us!. We were exhausted and put our luggage down between us against a wall. Immediately, as if we were already targeted, 2 local women, probably not from argentina, "dropped" something beside outside of my bag and were pointing at it for me to get. It was a roll of film, which did not seem strange, so I picked it up and tried to give it to the woman. She then did not want it waving her hands and started walking off. Only to realise, my boyfriend on the other side of the bags was distracted by another woman showing her sale stuff and happened to step in front of his large, 25 kilo, rucksack! Of course, as soon as we turned our heads trying to be helpful to the ladies a guy came around the back and pulled away our huge rucksack. Thankfully, my boyfriend noticed something was wrong quickly and ran after the guy. He luckily picked the right direction, opposite the way the ladies walked and found him dragging his bag! After shouting lots of bad words and picking his bag up, the poor Peruvian was unlucky as there just happened to be 6 policemen there who handcuffed him and took him away!. This was a rude awakening for us!. Guys, keep your eyes peeled!! First time its happened to us throughout Chile and Argentina!.
Jorge Daniel Barchi.
Buenos Aires.
2
anonymous
Dr. Barchi --- Did the police beat the crap out of the thieves in the basement of the police station? Did you have to testify at a trial?
3
ultimate_addict
Something should be done to the thieves, to prove a point so that they stop. Or even more so, the Argentina police at the bus station should be aware of this. I can´t imagine that they don´t know the usual thieves who are always around there looking to steal things. It puts a very bad reputation on BA. There are police on every corner around central BA, so why can they not put a few more around the bus station?
4
lizzzylou
buenos aires is one of the safest cities i have ever been to. i found ecuador and all of europe much more dangerous in regards to theft, pickpocks, etc.
always be alert, and take extra precautions. also dont walk on streets and neighborhoods you dont feel comfortable in and especially avoid these at night.
a group of women tried to do the "oh lady there is something on your shirt" trick to me on Corrientes in Once. Foruntely I was aware of the trick and grabbed my bag before they got the 900 pesos in my purse.
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