An Indian entrepreneur, Ayush Panchmiya, recently experienced a traveler's worst nightmare while in Barcelona, Spain. Panchmiya, the co-founder of Blockwee, a marketing service for Web3 brands, had his passport, US visa, and cash stolen at a Starbucks.
Panchmiya and his team were in Barcelona after attending a crypto conference in Cannes, France. They were working at a Starbucks when Panchmiya stepped outside to take a call, leaving his bag under the table, something he'd done countless times before. Unfortunately, upon his return, he discovered that his bag, containing his passport, US visa, credit cards, and a significant amount of cash, was gone.
"Panic hit me," Panchmiya recounted in a post on X and LinkedIn. He had heard warnings about being extra careful in Spain, especially Barcelona, but experiencing it firsthand was a different story. His immediate reaction was to request the Starbucks staff to review the CCTV footage, but they refused, stating that police involvement was necessary.
Panchmiya then went to the nearest police station to report the theft. However, he faced further delays and red tape, as local police were slow to provide the CCTV footage. Adding to his distress, the Indian Embassy was closed for the weekend, leaving him with limited immediate recourse. He described those following 48 hours as "the worst 48 hours of my travel life".
Despite the initial setbacks, Panchmiya persevered. On Monday morning, he visited the Indian Embassy as soon as it opened. The embassy staff were helpful and efficient, issuing an emergency certificate, which serves as a temporary passport, within four to five hours. This allowed Panchmiya to board his flight back to India that same evening.
Panchmiya is now in the process of applying for a new passport and redoing his visas. He is also dealing with the aftermath of the financial loss and the inconvenience caused by the theft.
This incident serves as a stark reminder for travelers to remain vigilant and take extra precautions to protect their belongings, especially in tourist hotspots. It also highlights the importance of having a plan in place in case of theft or loss of important documents. Additionally, Panchmiya's experience underscores the crucial role that embassies and consulates play in assisting citizens abroad during emergencies.
