Tourists beware

I am a tourist from Japan, and last Friday, while on a public intercity bus from Probbolingo to Situbondo in East Java, I had my backpack stolen. With this letter, I would like to warn anyone else, especially tourists, about how they set the trap, so it won't happen again.

I was obviously targeted while at the bus terminal in Probbolingo. It is a common terminal for tourists coming from Bali on their way to Mt. Bromo to change buses. Be especially careful of seemingly kind English-speaking locals, they are the ones who will try to trap you.

The one I met, outwardly at least, had a very friendly attitude, and asked me where I was going and showed me to the bus. I always put my bag beside me on the adjoining seat, but he insisted, very persuasively, that I put it under the seat. He asked me if I was alone, because if I were to take up two seats I would have to pay double. So, not wanting to pay extra, I did as he instructed.

Meanwhile, another man sat behind me, and thinking back now, I am sure he was the accomplice. I never dozed off to sleep, but there were probably 10 minutes while I was not paying careful attention, and I found that my bag was gone. I am quite sure the conductor knows who did it because I have since heard that they often do this scam when they find foreign tourists.

I was stupid enough to be trapped in this scam, and I don't want any other people to suffer a similar fate. They can be extremely adept, no matter if you speak Indonesian and are an experienced traveler So... Please be careful. They are everywhere.

KEN KONDO, Jakarta