Not a great evening. While meeting Reeve's friend Prakash, Prakash's girlfriend (both of whom were visiting form the UK), as well as his dad and dad's fiancee, Tracy's purse was stolen.
It was pretty discouraging. The next day, we saw a snippet on CCTV - and it was within just a second, someone with a plastic bag sat down on the bench a ways from Tracy, and then just turned and grabbed the purse from next to Tracy and was gone. It was quite a saga, going to CCTV and KLCC security location, filling out the report, and then being directed to the police department. We were frantically trying to call all of the credit card and debit card companies (a lesson not to have too many cards in your purse or wallet) to cancel everything. Already, within minutes, a few transactions were made.
The police department near Dang Wangi was an adventure in and of itself. It took several hours and we provided all of the information that we could. It isn't very hopeful of getting anything recovered. Losing all of the photos on Tracy's phone (and not having them backed up) was a big disappointment - as well as how difficult it is to get anything confirmed (your identity, for example, to cancel the credit card, without having a way to verify via a phone number).
Here are pictures (from the next day) from where we were sitting - within clear view of CCTV.
Thankfully, only a handful of transactions - more on the US debit card - and fewer on the Maybank card (interesting, as we tried to cancel the local Malaysian credit cards - the Maybank ones first, thinking that was higher priority - a lesson that international cards are probably a higher priority) were able to be blocked and we were not out any extra costs on that end. Tracy did, the next day, get a new phone and began the process of trying to get access back to her bank account.
Despite how safe KL is, it is an important reminder to be vigilant and keep your hand through your belongings in crowded places.
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