NEW DELHI: Indian entrepreneur Ayush Panchmiya lost his passport, US visa, credit cards, and cash while in Barcelona, Spain, after a bag theft at a local Starbucks. The incident occurred shortly after he arrived in the city following a work trip to ETHCC Cannes. Panchmiya shared the details of the incident in a post on X, describing it as the most difficult 48 hours of his travel experience.“We had just landed in Barcelona after a heavy week at ETHCC Cannes. It was a chill morning for us,” he wrote. Panchmiya said he stepped outside for a call, leaving his small black bag under the table. “Something I’d done a hundred times on trips like these.” When he returned, the bag was gone.The missing items included his passport, US visa, credit cards, and a large amount of cash. He approached Starbucks staff to check the CCTV footage but was told the police would need to be involved first. “I ran to the Starbucks staff, begged them to show me the CCTV. They couldn’t, said the police had to get involved first,” he said.At the police station, Panchmiya was informed that reviewing the footage would take time. “Police said: ‘It’ll take 15 to 20 days for us to even review the CCTV footage,’” he wrote. With his return flight to India scheduled for Monday and the Indian embassy closed for the weekend, he waited until Monday to seek help.“I walked in as soon as they opened. And I cannot thank them enough, they issued me an emergency certificate (a temporary passport) in just 4 to 5 hours. That same evening, I was back on a flight to India,” he wrote.Now back in India, Panchmiya is reapplying for his passport and visas. He said he shared the experience to inform others who may find themselves in a similar situation while travelling.“If you travel often, especially around Europe, this can happen to anyone. Even if you’re cautious. Even if you’re ‘experienced,’” he wrote.Offering guidance, Panchmiya said, “Don’t panic. Immediately go to the nearest police station. File a report. Walk into your embassy in person. Don’t just email or call. Explain everything clearly.” He added, “Ask for an emergency certificate. If your flight is close, they can issue one in hours.”Reflecting on the situation, he noted, “I’ve never had my passport stolen before. But now I’ve seen firsthand how quickly things can flip. And also, how supportive the Indian embassy and the Web3 community around me can be in tough times.”He concluded the post by stating that he is now safe at home and shared the story in the hope that it helps others navigate a similar situation.
