lost $5000USD of camera computer equipment in siliguri...can anyone help!

spicygreencurry

lost $5000USD of camera computer equipment in siliguri...can anyone help!
it was nabbed at teh train station..what are my options for locating the equipment again on the black market?

please e-mail me at: jennifer at jennifermacfarlane.com

Aishah

Jennifer - are you still in India? Did you go to Siliguri police when this happened?

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zoltan

1) Go to the police. NOW

2) If the police are lackadaisic in wanting to help, you may have to grease the palms of some people to get action (as much as I really hate suggesting that).

3) With that sort of dollar value, it's not going to be easy to move, so you may have some success in recovering some /all of the items.

When you have a moment, could you elaborate on how the equipment was taken from you ?

Please do keep us informed of what happens.

Cheers
Zoltan

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snonymous

To start with, my commisserations.

Most likely, you will have to register an FIR with the Railway Police under whose jurisdiction the theft occurred. Was it snatched and if so do you remember even vaguely what the culprit looks like? You may be shown photographs of known offenders in that station, if it was a snatching. You must register a complaint. There have been several instances where complainants have recovered their property.

Nick-H

If you took out insurance for that gear then your insurers will want you to have reported the loss.

You have to make certain that the police make out and register a FIR. this only makes it an official complaint. They may prefer to give you a shoulder to cry on and make a few notes, maybe so that they can go back to sleep when you leave. Insist on an FIR (short for First Information Report) and get a copy of it too.

spicygreencurry

thank you thank you everyone for all this info

i made a report...i wrote down what happened...they stamped it gave me a copy and a case #

there were 2 boys they must have been watching me for awhile, as soon as i turned aroud they snatched and ran onto a departing train

a sweet assamese woman and her baby got a good look at the boy and idetified who she thinks it was from the mugshots the police had...

the police were a bit lacadasical...i do not think they could comprehend what i had just lost...but they were cooperative

Luckily west bengal and kolkata are like my second home and i have a few connections...friends have been dispatched to speak with the police chief, etc...we are offering backsheesh to the police...i had a month's worth of work on my harddrive...that i just have to get back at any cost!

my only hope is that it is a VERY expensive and rare piece of photographic equipment...and they do not have the chargers...we will see what happens

is there any use in ME searching the black markets

how far do you think my equipment has travelled

do you think it is already on black market...or do they hold onto it for awhile???

do you think the police can really really find it...i have this feeling that they somehow DO know everything that happens in their districts

are there private invertigators worth calling in

thank you again everyone for your help and kind words...it means so much to me right now

dipydoo

Since you have pulled in some 'contacts', you'll probably get back your stuff soon.

Its really bad that this happened to you, considering that we had a similar thread going on about Camera safety just a few days back...

spicygreencurry

oh and i still love india...perhaps even more

people have been really helpful

speaking such genuine truth and sweet words...praying to ganesh for me and buying me chai

funny thing i am not even mad at the kids

dipydoo

Went thru your website. Amazing pics there. Do hope that you get your stuff back.

harsha

HI Jennifer...sorry for your loss and I shall keep my fingers crossed for the recovery of your camera. I just saw your website and it will be a shame to lose such a good camera.

You have done most of the things one should have done. Just a few pointers. Did you inform the cops the name of the train and the time so that they can try and catch them when they get down at the next station or something?

I am pretty sure that this camera will end up in the black market but considering that this is a big valuable camera I do not think it will end up in the market very soon as it will difficult for those guys to dispose it off.

As a lawyer I should not recommend this but give some money to the cops and use some influence so that they can catch these guys. I knew someone who lost a bag with money and the cops were able to trace the bag with papers without the money in 2 days.

Please be hopeful. I hope you have insurance so you can use the copy of the report and claim insurance. However, I can understand your frustration as the camera has one month worth's work inside which money cannot compensate.

Please keep us posted on what is happening.

Harsha

PeakXV

The fact that they departed on a known train is very helpful information for possible determination of dispersal or black market entry.

Think hard now - do you think that this was a random,spur of the moment snatching, or something that may have been orchestrated at/through your accommodation/hotel, or a more calculated, professional operation initiated/inspired by public display of said equipment through events/shootings from the previous days leading up to departure? Who knew when you were departing or did anybody ask you how & when you were departing in passing or friendly conversation? Don't answer those questions here - but your responses might help detectives or those familiar with theft rings and/or black market filtration experience to help pinpoint any potential suspects and further movement.

I would also set up a sting operation soon - with an Indian openly looking for a camera/photo cache (not exactly but nearly)like yours in the appropriate black market areas.

Your photos are fantastic btw, best of luck in tracking down your latest work.

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Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

Nick-H

I'm glad people found your website --- yes, fabulous work, obviously a pro, and a deserving to be.

Must hurt even more to loose a tool of your work like that.

Rasika

I would suggest keeping an eye on ebay.in and I believe there is another online auction site for India too? If they notice it is a specialised piece of equipment they may move it to someone who will try to push it to a highest bidder.

Really sorry about this event.

Aishah

Good luck, Jennifer - if they can track the culprit there might be a good chance of recovering your goods. A terrible thing to happen for you, I do hope you get them back.

spicygreencurry

again thank you to everyone...esp for the suprisingly encouraging comments about my website!

this waiting game is the hardest part...but it is wonderful to have all your helpful suggestions which i am following up on

Indian people understand equanimity, loss and the uncertainty of life...and it has been wonderful to be with them

still hopeful

go OBAMA