Tourists beware

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