Room Theft by Cleaning Staff

I have been in India almost 2 weeks now and am staying in a service apartment in Bangalore. The staff that work for the apartment all seem to be young boys, maybe less 16-20 years of age. They came to our room to clean yesterday while we waited outside. When we went back in, the room hadn't been cleaned, and we noticed money was missing. We had $300 US taken from the room, which we were keeping as a back-up, and my roommate had some rupees in a bag, and about 800 was taken.

They didn't take all of our money. I had $200 US and they only took $100, and they only took about 800 rupees of 6000 from my roommate. I think they were trying to make it unnoticeable, because they didn't take electronics or passports, just some cash.

Back home, I'd call up the manager of the apartment building and resolve this issue, but I'm not sure how to go about resolving this here.

Is it common for money to be stolen? I am also concerned that once we stop leaving money out, they might go for other things...

Ideally I think I want to move to a new service apartment, but I'm not sure if I'll run the risk of theft in any of them or not.

I should also add that the money wasn't out in the open, they went through our stuff to find it.

Does your apartment building have a manager? You could complain to him/her.

Thefting is quite common.

Even maids do that ( ofcourse not all maid, but I would say, its pretty common that they take something, money etc.) I have many stories to say on this, not just on cash, but also other little things...

All I can say is be careful with your cash and other valuables. . . If its only little stuff then you may keep a blind eye over it like I do, cos its quite rampant that its better to keep a blind eye over it if its not cash and its other little thing.

In your case its a service apartment and cash, I am not sure how will the manager solve the issue. It may be better you move to another service apartment and let the manager know your 'reason' of moving.

Definitely complain to the manager, and the owner/company running the service apartment, who will be more concerned about the reputation of the establishment than the manager. Tell them- sternly- that you will not pursue the matter further if the money is returned.

And keep everything locked up.

Hello,


You'd definitely need to inform the manager and see that he takes some action. I don't think thefts are common in service apartments. Please don't leave your cash and other valuables out in the open

Second that. It is not common nor is it acceptable. Talk to the manager and start locking your valuables.

Mixed feelings with the naivete of leaving money behind in a room. Wouldn't do that in a rich country much less a poor one. Still, they say travel is an education & perhaps the tuition comes in different forms..

I have never had a problem leaving a bit of money hidden in other countries. I'm here for three months, so I can't carry around everything I own with me. The cleaning staff at our building only clean the floors and are not supposed to touch anything else. We were also right outside the door when this was happening. My money was hidden in a bag under a pile of dirty laundry in the back of a closet. My roommate's money was in her luggage in a mesh compartment which they ripped to get in to. So I'm not only upset that the money was gone, but that they are going through our stuff as well.

I will most likely contact the manager today, and I'll let everyone know how it turned out.

Thanks for your replies.

a suggestion JeninIndia, stay in the room when they are cleaning. If they wont clean with you in the room tell the manager why you insist on being there. Interested to know if the same 'cleaners' come again. cheers zamba.

I don't think I ever left any money behind in my room, but in saying that it was not because I didn't trust every one of the staff members at the Homestay accommodation I stay at when I go to Delhi. I trust them implicitly. It is just my way to keep my money and passport etc on my person when I am out and about. I don't take any other valuables.
Cash, credit card and passport.
Sorry for your loss though.
Vee

Jenn - there is not much India specific advise which can be offered here, except, be a little insistent (bordering on aggressive and certainly showing that you are upset) when you talk to the manager / owner. If manager is not receptive ask him for the owner's phone. Use polite threats of putting the incident in public domain with name of the service apt. In the least ask those cleaners to be kept away from your room.

After this if nothing happens - you have no choice but to reconcile to your loss. For future, I see a safe or locked drawer as your only option. If someone had gone through my stuff and I could prove it - would have blasted them, but if not 100% sure keeping one's counsel is better.

The problem with anecdotal evidence is that one starts to confuse accident with good general practice..

A line from an old song, you got lucky babe. Then you didn't. Thieves exist in all countries because of the unwarry. Still, the losses seem modest. May help in future real estate transactions..

Report the theft; and report that your room wasn't cleaned. I don't think you should expect to see the money returned.

In future, lock everything. Bags need to be locked; safes need to be locked. And stay in the room whilst staff are there.

I had an item of clothing - brand new - retailed for the equivalent of 9,000INR - stolen from the (unlocked) outside pocket of my suitcase on my very first day in India. The house manager did nothing about it; and I accept that it was my responsibility - I should not have left anything in an unsecured place. The worst part of having something stolen in India is the difficulty in replacing the item.

Did you recognise them? Do you know that they were employees? Did they ask you to wait outside? Have you seen them around since?

It would be a relatively easy scam to gain access to a hotel or guest house and claim to be cleaners. I wonder if that is the case here.
Why should it be any different here? Isn't the first instinct to call the manager immediately?

It's a substantial amount of money. Probably you should call the police in.

Anyway, I'm very sorry for you having had this bad experience. No, I don't think it is common, but for you it must influence your feelings about India, which is a shame.

- you should not have left the room because they were cleaning. just moving a little when they clean the area you are sitting at is more than enough.
- if they insisted that you leave the room, you must ask them to wait outside, lock all your belongings & take your wallet with you outside. i lock my non-cash but critical stuff in a suitcase even if i'm staying in 4-star hotel.
- you must confront theft immediately & forcefully. tell them you know they have stolen & you know the serial numbers of all notes they have. time is of essence. calling the manager in front of them is the most effective way to get the truth out.

short story - long long ago, we had a guy come to deliver groceries from a nearby store (that we used regularly). he kept everything in the kitchen & while my mom was not looking, decided to help himself to some cash (i think 50 rs or so) kept on the refrigerator top. my mom noticed it after he left. she just dashed off to the store, told the owner what happened & asked to see the delivery guy. the guy of course fumbled & denied, but the owner simply said either he can pay right now or it will be deducted from his salary, at which the guy apologized & returned the money. i have to admire the guts my mom had at that time...