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Time of India
04-08-2025
- Time of India
Indian entrepreneur gets robbed of his passport and cash in Spain; shares warning on what not to do when traveling
Travel mishaps can happen to anyone, no matter how experienced. That's exactly what happened to a young Indian entrepreneur in Barcelona. What began as a routine work trip turned into chaos, when a few careless moments set off a frenzy to make his journey home. . Work trip that turned into a travel nightmare Indian entrepreneur Ayush Panchmiya, co-founder of the Web3 marketing agency Blockwee, described his experience on X as the 'worst 48 hours of [his] travel life' after his bag containing his passport, US visa, credit cards, and cash was stolen at a Starbucks in Barcelona. Having just arrived in Barcelona after the ETHCC conference in Cannes, Panchmiya and his team were working at a café when he stepped outside for a quick call, leaving his bag tucked under the table, which he accepted doing 'a hundred times' before. Moments later, the bag was gone. 'Those few seconds changed everything,' he wrote on X, as the bag held all his essential travel documents. When he asked the cafe to show CCTV footage, he was told that he'd need police intervention first. At the station, he learned it could take up to 20 days to review the footage, and he did not have the time for it as his flight back was scheduled in just two days. With the Indian embassy closed over the weekend, Panchmiya waited until Monday, then rushed in as soon as it opened. The embassy issued an emergency certificate, or a temporary passport, in just four to five hours, allowing him to board a flight home that very evening. Can happen to anyone Panchmiya made it clear that his purpose wasn't complaint but caution. He advised the fellow travellers, 'This can happen to anyone. Even if you're cautious. Even if you're experienced.' He suggested not to panic, file a police report immediately, and visit your embassy in person to request an emergency certificate. Social media reactions Users on social media responded with empathy. One user wrote, 'In general, avoid travelling day to day with your passport on you. It's infinitely safer in your hotel lock box.' Another user warned saying, 'Just because it's 'something you'd done a hundred times' doesn't mean it's smart.' Many praised his calm handling despite the circumstances. Panchmiya later admitted, 'Was it a mistake to leave the bag? Yes,' he said, noting that assuming safety indoors led to a painful lesson. Despite the ordeal, he concluded his post on a hopeful note, 'Now I am back home. Safe. Grateful. Grounded. This post is just my way of paying it forward'
News18
04-08-2025
- Business
- News18
Indian Entrepreneur Falls Victim To Theft In Spain: ‘Few Seconds Changed Everything'
Last Updated: 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. 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. top videos View all '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. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : indian entrepreneur viral news view comments Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: August 04, 2025, 13:18 IST News viral Indian Entrepreneur Falls Victim To Theft In Spain: 'Few Seconds Changed Everything' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
04-08-2025
- Business
- News18
Indian Entrepreneur Falls Victim To Theft In Spain: 'Few Seconds Changed Everything'
Last Updated: 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. top videos View all '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. About the Author News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : indian entrepreneur viral news view comments Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: August 04, 2025, 13:18 IST News viral Indian Entrepreneur Falls Victim To Theft In Spain: 'Few Seconds Changed Everything' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
03-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
'If you travel Europe...": Indian founder shares nightmare after his Passport, US visa, & cash stolen at Starbucks in Spain
Ayush Panchmiya, an Indian entrepreneur, faced a setback in Spain. His passport, US visa, and cash were stolen in Barcelona. He was attending a crypto conference. Local police delayed providing CCTV footage. The Indian embassy stepped in to help. They issued an emergency certificate. This allowed Panchmiya to return to India. He is now reapplying for his documents. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads CCTV access denied, police response delayed Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Embassy assistance enables return An Indian entrepreneur has shared his experience after losing his passport, US visa, and cash to theft in Spain, highlighting the challenges faced when travelling abroad and the support he later received from the Indian embassy. The incident took place over a weekend, delaying official assistance and prompting him to navigate a stressful 48-hour period before returning to Panchmiya, co-founder of Blockwee, a marketing startup for Web3 brands, described the theft as 'the worst 48 hours of his travel life.' In a series of posts on X and LinkedIn, he detailed how his belongings were stolen while he was working with his team at a Starbucks in Barcelona after attending a crypto conference in Cannes.'I lost my passport, US visa, and all my cash… in Spain,' Panchmiya wrote. He said he had briefly stepped outside to take a phone call, leaving his bag under the table — something he had done 'a hundred times' on previous trips. When he returned, the bag was immediately contacted the Starbucks staff to access CCTV footage, but they declined, stating that the footage could only be released upon police request. When he approached the local police station, he was informed it would take 15 to 20 days to access the footage — a delay he could not afford, as he was scheduled to fly back to India on Monday.'Panic hit me,' he wrote. 'I'd heard all the travel warnings: Be extra careful in Spain, especially Barcelona. But hearing isn't the same as experiencing.'With the Indian embassy closed over the weekend, Panchmiya waited until Monday morning before seeking help. 'Walked in as soon as they opened,' he recalled. The embassy issued an emergency certificate — a temporary travel document — within four to five hours, allowing him to board his return flight that same evening.'Now I'm in the middle of applying for a new passport, redoing my visas from scratch, and dealing with everything that comes after such a loss,' he emphasised that he shared his experience not as a complaint but as a cautionary account for fellow travellers. 'If you travel often, especially around Europe, this can happen to anyone. Ask for an emergency certificate. If your flight is close, they can issue one in hours,' he advised.
Hindustan Times
03-08-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
‘Worst 48 hours of my life': Indian entrepreneur robbed in Spain, rescued just in time
An Indian entrepreneur has revealed what he did after his passport and cash were stolen in Spain. Ayush Panchmiya said the theft occurred on a Saturday, and he couldn't approach the Indian Embassy for help as it was closed over the weekend. In posts shared on X and LinkedIn, he recalled the shock he felt when he realised that all his belongings had been stolen in a foreign country. Ayush Panchmiya received an emergency certificate after his belongings were stolen in Spain. (X/@lets_ash) He called the two days that followed 'the worst 48 hours of his travel life'. 'I lost my passport, US visa, all my cash' '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,' Panchmiya wrote. The co-founder of Blockwee, a startup that provides specialized marketing services to Web3 brands, said that he and his team members had landed in Barcelona after a 'heavy week' at a crypto conference in Cannes, France. They were working at a Starbucks outlet, editing content for some clients, when Panchmiya stepped outside to take a call. He left his bag under the table, thinking nothing of it. It was 'something I'd done a hundred times on trips like these,' said the Mumbai-based entrepreneur. Unfortunately for Panchmiya, leaving his bag under the table proved to be a mistake. When he came back, he realised it had been stolen. Red tape in Barcelona In his X post, Panchmiya revealed that his bag contained his credit cards, a good chunk of his cash and his passport with his US visa. 'Panic hit me. I'd heard all the travel warnings: Be extra careful in Spain, especially Barcelona. But hearing isn't the same as experiencing,' he said. Panchmiya immediately approached the staff at Starbucks, requesting them to let him review the CCTV footage. The staff, however, refused, claiming that police had to get involved to review the CCTV footage. The Indian entrepreneur then approached the nearest police station and relayed his predicament. 'And then came the real shock,' he said, revealing that police told him it would take 15 to 20 days to review the CCTV footage. Time was a luxury that Panchmiya did not have. The theft occurred on a Saturday, and he was due to fly back to India on Monday. Indian embassy steps in 'The Indian embassy was shut. So I waited, helpless, until Monday morning. Walked in as soon as they opened,' he recalled. The embassy proved extremely helpful and issued an emergency certificate in just four to five hours. An emergency certificate works like a temporary passport – and Panchmiya was able to board his flight back to India that same evening. 'Now I'm in the middle of applying for a new passport, redoing my visas from scratch, and dealing with everything that comes after such a loss,' he said. The entrepreneur said he was sharing his experience not to rant but to help people understand their options if they find themselves in a similar situation. 'If you travel often, especially around Europe, this can happen to anyone,' he said. 'Ask for an emergency certificate. If your flight is close, they can issue one in hours.'
