robbed in new victoria

davyd · Dec 11th, 2005, 18:00

hello
i just met a traveler from Scotland who told me bizarre thing. He arrived on his third holiday trip to India a few days ago in Chennai and was robbed inside New Victoria hotel in Egmore. He lost his cash and passport, maybe other documents. Fortunately he had a copy of passport and visa page and now he has to wait a few weeks to receive new documents. He had very unpleasant experience with this hotel, which refused to bear any responsibility for consequences of commited burglary in their hotel. Very bad case for reputation of New Victoria highly recommended by big three guidebooks, LP, FP and RG.

Anders · Dec 11th, 2005, 18:31

And what did you expect the hotel to do about it

Digital Drifter · Dec 11th, 2005, 18:41

help him recover, as it happens /inside/ thier premises? (I assume this)

davyd · Dec 11th, 2005, 19:08

he told me that he was probably spotted with big cash (he said something around a lak or two laks, I don't remember) already in Chennai airport and then he was offered ride to the city. He did not know where to go, looked up the latest LP and decided to stay in New Victoria with good recommendations. Then he slept because he was so tired and culprits maybe with the help of hotel staff opened the room and stole everything.

citybell · Dec 11th, 2005, 19:18

He can threten the hotel that he would complain to the Police Commissioner (whose office is very near to the hotel) and his consulate.MAY BE hotel may take some action.
If he has some time in Chennai then he can make a complaint to the police.

Nick-H · Dec 11th, 2005, 22:48

If he has travel insurance and is going to make a claim then he had better inform the police, or he'll have problems with the claim. If he has a suspicion that hotel staff were involved, again he really should inform the police.

I don't imagine much will come of it, but then that is true of reporting a burglary in London.

It's a pity to hear this in this country where relatively few travellers are the victim of such crimes

davyd · Dec 12th, 2005, 14:07

i have met this unfortunate traveller again and this is what he said. He arrived in New Victoria Hotel early night and had watched TV for 1.5-2 hrs. Then he went to bed around 4 o'clock. He remembered he closed a door of his room 111 but in the morning he found the door opened and his valuables stolen - around 2500 english pounds (i don't know how much is it in rupees), his passport with visa and driving licence. hotel denied any involvment of its staff and accusing traveller of lying did not allow him even to complain to police - traveller said that they probably bribed police and police did not register burglary - hotel staff did not allow police to make search for traces in that room, only 4 members of staff were interrogated.
however victim somehow had to renew missing documents and any document from police was necessary - police agreed to confirm 'missing of passport' and now this Scot has to wait for new passport.
all his plans to buy a bike and travel from chennai to goa on it are ruined but he seems quite good - his first reaction was to take return flight but he decided to stay here - prospect of waking up in Scotland and looking at snow and cursing that he was supposed to lie on the beach did not smile to him and he is continuing his journey - without driving licence and bike, with small money and waiting for passport.

Nick-H · Dec 13th, 2005, 15:36

Since when did hotels tell the police what they can or can't do? even in India?

If this poor man really can't get anywhere on his own with the police he might try asking the British High Commision for help.

Hotel rooms often have bolts on the inside. They should be used, as all hotel doors have to be openable with a passkey. Anyone travelling with thousnds of pounds (Why? for goodnes sake?) should keep it strapped to their person or under their pillow.

It seems your friend has shown some naivite and carlessness, but that is all to easy in a strange city after a long flight.

On the other hand, I have a cousin who runs a posh hotel in UK and I have heard some stories of 'strange' complaints by customers, involving valuables and large sums of money, from him....

davyd · Dec 13th, 2005, 17:26

what does it mean - strange complaints?

if he arrived to hotel in your wonderfully smelly city in the middle of the night he had to check in and fill the form involving his passport. next morning his passport, documents and cash were reported missing. If cash did not exist how he could destroy his documents and for what reason - he even does not want to inform Chennai press on my adviice, he says never again to experience this nonsense. If he would be trickster I am sure he would react not this way...

indiamike · Dec 13th, 2005, 17:34

Sounds like this guy is a scamster to me.

I have seen it before you run into the same bloke a few times and they claim to have been robbed or lost all of their money or someone has ripped them off in a deal.

Tell him to call his friends back home or family or better yet call the consulate for advice.
Whatever you do don't offer any money to him. It's a common trick and I have seen it a few times before. If it was legit he would not hesitate to call the police.

That my two cents.

Never trust anyone when it comes to money.

jessyjames · Dec 13th, 2005, 18:53

Also never trust Lonely Planet. It is really for people to read (on the latrine)before going somewhere. When you are there it is next to useless. Its for travel fantasies coz by the time you get there it is a couple of years or some months out of date. If it recommends a place, all the sheep go there, prices are higher, how well do they really know the place etc.Its a security blanket for people who feel nervous and unsure (human nature). Sure it does tell you some things, but this site is much better and more current and does not inspire mind-numbing conformity. Look I might be wrong- its just what I think. Remember, scammers read it too and know that backpackers by the thousands follow its advice like its a procedural text. It is dangerous for this reason.We are on the scammers familiar territory and they read us like a book- a great big fat pretentious book like LP.
I get a feeling they the writers think i am an idiot and don't respect me. It is too big to carry around too.It is like a fetish. I am not the only one who feels this way. LP tells you what to do at the start of each chapter in a little box.Yawn. I use it to see what it does not recommend- then i try to do that. I reckon LP spoils the sense of discovery. I hate seeing travellers carrying it around. For me its like pathetic and dependant to need it that much.This website is far more flexible and current. People will be offended by my innocuous opinion because many people are really really attached to LP and its like I have committed blasphemy if I question the Lonely Planet syndrome. Who needs sacred cows when you have ths guide to how to think and what to do? I have travelled overseas 25 times and believe it or not, the best trips were when I did not buy it, sacreligious as this may seem.

IVAN · Dec 13th, 2005, 19:04

The leson of the story is one that has been repeated over and over again.
Do not leave your valuables and documents in your hotel room (or practically anywhere, for that matter).

MeCasa · Dec 13th, 2005, 19:09

Whether this person is a scamster or not I've read plentiful journals of employees walking into your hotel room unannounced.

I have just added a lightweight doorstop to my list

bijapuri · Dec 13th, 2005, 20:18

quick question for Davyyd, orig. poster.
Did this gentleman ask for any monetary assistance from you?

Nick-H · Dec 13th, 2005, 23:05

Means, as IndiaMike and Steve have also said, that not all complaints about missing property are genuine. If I was him I wouldn't let the hotel management put me off a trip to the police station.

OTOH, if it was an insurance scam, why bother to tell you about it?

Unless it is a warm up, as suggested, to a request for a few pounds to see him by.

Who knows; Luckywoman has experienced the real thing in dishonest hotel staff, maybe he has too.

The rubber doorstop is quite a good idea, along with the universal sink plug. Just don't forget it is there when the lights are dead and the fire alarm is going off

Dec 11th, 2005, 18:00	#1
davyd just a traveler Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Earth Posts: 320	robbed in new victoria hello i just met a traveler from Scotland who told me bizarre thing. He arrived on his third holiday trip to India a few days ago in Chennai and was robbed inside New Victoria hotel in Egmore. He lost his cash and passport, maybe other documents. Fortunately he had a copy of passport and visa page and now he has to wait a few weeks to receive new documents. He had very unpleasant experience with this hotel, which refused to bear any responsibility for consequences of commited burglary in their hotel. Very bad case for reputation of New Victoria highly recommended by big three guidebooks, LP, FP and RG.

Dec 11th, 2005, 18:41	#3
Digital Drifter bang a whore? Bangalore Dammit! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,878	help him recover, as it happens /inside/ thier premises? (I assume this) __________________ Click here for the Indiamike train guide in PDF

Dec 11th, 2005, 22:48	#6
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,747	If he has travel insurance and is going to make a claim then he had better inform the police, or he'll have problems with the claim. If he has a suspicion that hotel staff were involved, again he really should inform the police. I don't imagine much will come of it, but then that is true of reporting a burglary in London. It's a pity to hear this in this country where relatively few travellers are the victim of such crimes __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Dec 12th, 2005, 14:07	#7
davyd just a traveler Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Earth Posts: 320	new information i have met this unfortunate traveller again and this is what he said. He arrived in New Victoria Hotel early night and had watched TV for 1.5-2 hrs. Then he went to bed around 4 o'clock. He remembered he closed a door of his room 111 but in the morning he found the door opened and his valuables stolen - around 2500 english pounds (i don't know how much is it in rupees), his passport with visa and driving licence. hotel denied any involvment of its staff and accusing traveller of lying did not allow him even to complain to police - traveller said that they probably bribed police and police did not register burglary - hotel staff did not allow police to make search for traces in that room, only 4 members of staff were interrogated. however victim somehow had to renew missing documents and any document from police was necessary - police agreed to confirm 'missing of passport' and now this Scot has to wait for new passport. all his plans to buy a bike and travel from chennai to goa on it are ruined but he seems quite good - his first reaction was to take return flight but he decided to stay here - prospect of waking up in Scotland and looking at snow and cursing that he was supposed to lie on the beach did not smile to him and he is continuing his journey - without driving licence and bike, with small money and waiting for passport.

Dec 13th, 2005, 17:26	#9
davyd just a traveler Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Earth Posts: 320	starnge complaints?? what does it mean - strange complaints? if he arrived to hotel in your wonderfully smelly city in the middle of the night he had to check in and fill the form involving his passport. next morning his passport, documents and cash were reported missing. If cash did not exist how he could destroy his documents and for what reason - he even does not want to inform Chennai press on my adviice, he says never again to experience this nonsense. If he would be trickster I am sure he would react not this way...

Dec 11th, 2005, 18:31	#2
Anders Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: England Posts: 630	And what did you expect the hotel to do about it

Dec 11th, 2005, 19:08	#4
davyd just a traveler Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Earth Posts: 320	he told me that he was probably spotted with big cash (he said something around a lak or two laks, I don't remember) already in Chennai airport and then he was offered ride to the city. He did not know where to go, looked up the latest LP and decided to stay in New Victoria with good recommendations. Then he slept because he was so tired and culprits maybe with the help of hotel staff opened the room and stole everything.

Dec 11th, 2005, 19:18	#5
citybell Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: INDIA Posts: 164	He can threten the hotel that he would complain to the Police Commissioner (whose office is very near to the hotel) and his consulate.MAY BE hotel may take some action. If he has some time in Chennai then he can make a complaint to the police.

Dec 13th, 2005, 15:36	#8
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,747	Since when did hotels tell the police what they can or can't do? even in India? If this poor man really can't get anywhere on his own with the police he might try asking the British High Commision for help. Hotel rooms often have bolts on the inside. They should be used, as all hotel doors have to be openable with a passkey. Anyone travelling with thousnds of pounds (Why? for goodnes sake?) should keep it strapped to their person or under their pillow. It seems your friend has shown some naivite and carlessness, but that is all to easy in a strange city after a long flight. On the other hand, I have a cousin who runs a posh hotel in UK and I have heard some stories of 'strange' complaints by customers, involving valuables and large sums of money, from him....

Dec 13th, 2005, 17:34	#10
indiamike Retired Admin Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: New Joisey for now Posts: 1,759	Sounds like this guy is a scamster to me. I have seen it before you run into the same bloke a few times and they claim to have been robbed or lost all of their money or someone has ripped them off in a deal. Tell him to call his friends back home or family or better yet call the consulate for advice. Whatever you do don't offer any money to him. It's a common trick and I have seen it a few times before. If it was legit he would not hesitate to call the police. That my two cents. Never trust anyone when it comes to money.

Dec 13th, 2005, 18:53	#11
jessyjames Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Adelaide Posts: 37	Also never trust Lonely Planet. It is really for people to read (on the latrine)before going somewhere. When you are there it is next to useless. Its for travel fantasies coz by the time you get there it is a couple of years or some months out of date. If it recommends a place, all the sheep go there, prices are higher, how well do they really know the place etc.Its a security blanket for people who feel nervous and unsure (human nature). Sure it does tell you some things, but this site is much better and more current and does not inspire mind-numbing conformity. Look I might be wrong- its just what I think. Remember, scammers read it too and know that backpackers by the thousands follow its advice like its a procedural text. It is dangerous for this reason.We are on the scammers familiar territory and they read us like a book- a great big fat pretentious book like LP. I get a feeling they the writers think i am an idiot and don't respect me. It is too big to carry around too.It is like a fetish. I am not the only one who feels this way. LP tells you what to do at the start of each chapter in a little box.Yawn. I use it to see what it does not recommend- then i try to do that. I reckon LP spoils the sense of discovery. I hate seeing travellers carrying it around. For me its like pathetic and dependant to need it that much.This website is far more flexible and current. People will be offended by my innocuous opinion because many people are really really attached to LP and its like I have committed blasphemy if I question the Lonely Planet syndrome. Who needs sacred cows when you have ths guide to how to think and what to do? I have travelled overseas 25 times and believe it or not, the best trips were when I did not buy it, sacreligious as this may seem.

Dec 13th, 2005, 19:04	#12
IVAN status unknown Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Croatia Posts: 676	The leson of the story is one that has been repeated over and over again. Do not leave your valuables and documents in your hotel room (or practically anywhere, for that matter). __________________ Humor is Freedom Check my Links -> http://www14.brinkster.com/jnana/links.htm cum grano salis

Dec 13th, 2005, 19:09	#13
MeCasa Account Closed Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas/New York Posts: 959	Whether this person is a scamster or not I've read plentiful journals of employees walking into your hotel room unannounced. I have just added a lightweight doorstop to my list

Dec 13th, 2005, 20:18	#14
bijapuri laid traps for troubadours Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Priustan Posts: 2,599	quick question for Davyyd, orig. poster. Did this gentleman ask for any monetary assistance from you? __________________ Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. Because it's only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential. Barack Obama lookit me!!!: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bijapuri/ Utube fuzzy logic: http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=bijapuri&p =r

Dec 13th, 2005, 23:05	#15
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,747	Strange Complaints Means, as IndiaMike and Steve have also said, that not all complaints about missing property are genuine. If I was him I wouldn't let the hotel management put me off a trip to the police station. OTOH, if it was an insurance scam, why bother to tell you about it? Unless it is a warm up, as suggested, to a request for a few pounds to see him by. Who knows; Luckywoman has experienced the real thing in dishonest hotel staff, maybe he has too. The rubber doorstop is quite a good idea, along with the universal sink plug. Just don't forget it is there when the lights are dead and the fire alarm is going off

User Name		Remember Me?
Password

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
I was robbed 3 hours ago	Vasko	Scams and Annoyances in India	62	Aug 29th, 2005 19:01
No one cares about Victoria Cross fair	rajugusain	India Travel News and Commentary	2	Apr 18th, 2005 21:39
Foreigners robbed in train	gluedtoweb	Scams and Annoyances in India	33	Mar 2nd, 2005 18:12
Victoria Cross hero lives by fair	rajugusain	India Travel News and Commentary	0	Apr 24th, 2004 08:58
Victoria in Bangalore	pquekel	Lodging and Hotels in India	4	Jul 22nd, 2003 13:45

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode