Indian Entrepreneur Falls Victim To Theft In Spain: 'Few Seconds Changed Everything'
Blockwee founder Ayush Panchmiya rushed to the Starbucks staff and requested them to check the CCTV footage, but he was told the police would first need to intervene.
A young Indian entrepreneur's work trip to Europe turned into a stressful ordeal after his passport, US visa, credit cards and cash were stolen during a short break at a Barcelona cafe. The incident, shared by Blockwee founder Ayush Panchmiya on X (formerly Twitter), has gained widespread attention and prompted fellow travellers to rethink travel safety.
'I lost my passport, US visa, and all my cash… in Spain. Let me walk you through the worst 48 hours of my travel life and how I got out of it," he wrote on X.
'Few Seconds Changed Everything'
Panchmiya, who had just arrived in Barcelona with his team after attending ETHCC in Cannes, stopped at a Starbucks to catch up on work.
'We had just landed in Barcelona after a heavy week at ETHCC Cannes. It was a chill morning for us. Our team was at Starbucks, editing content for a couple of clients," he wrote. The entrepreneur then stepped outside the café to take a call and left his black bag tucked under the table, something which he had 'done a hundred times on trips like these." But moments later, it was gone.
Reporting The Theft
Panchmiya then rushed to the Starbucks staff and requested them to check the CCTV footage, but he was told the police would first need to intervene.
'So I rushed to the nearest station, filed a report, and explained everything in detail," he added. At the local police station, he filed a detailed report. But there was another shock waiting.
'It'll take 15 to 20 days for us to even review the CCTV footage," the police reportedly told him. His flight to India was just two days away.
Indian Embassy To The Rescue
With the Indian embassy closed over the weekend, Panchmiya had to wait until Monday morning. As soon as it opened, he went in person to explain the situation. Their response was swift and crucial.
'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," Panchmiya continued.
Sharing The Experience To Help Others
His reason for sharing the ordeal wasn't to complain but to help others be better prepared.
'If you travel often, especially around Europe, this can happen to anyone. Even if you're cautious. Even if you're 'experienced." And in that moment, the confusion is real. You don't know who to call, what to do, or whether you'll make it home," he wrote.
He also offered practical tips: '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. Ask for an emergency certificate. If your flight is close, they can issue one in hours."
His post gained significant traction with several users sharing their thoughts and travel tips in the comment section.
Another wrote, 'This is one of my worst fears when travelling abroad. You handled things so well."
'Just because it's 'something you'd done a hundred times on trips like this' doesn't mean it's smart," a person said.
Someone else advised, 'Keep that police report safe, it'll really come in handy. The real challenge starts now, for getting a new passport."
'Safe. Grateful. Grounded.'
Panchmiya ended his post by acknowledging both the chaos of the experience and the support he received from the Indian embassy and the Web3 community.
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'Now I am back home. Safe. Grateful. Grounded. This post is just my way of paying it forward, so if it ever happens to you, you'll know exactly what to do," he shared.
Now back in India, he is working through the process of getting his passport and visas reissued.
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First Published:
August 04, 2025, 13:18 IST
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