Watch out, there's a thief about...

experience at one of the outlets in Doha.

I just went up to the counter to pay my bills so i took out my wallet kept my cellphone on the counter this guy standing next to me A LOCAL quite an aged guy in 35+ got his palm on my cell phone so it will disappear from my sight. he just moved his hand slowly backwards and got it into his pocket. He was lookin at the salesman and doing this i turned at him lookin at him and he was still pretending as if nothing have happened. then i asked him can you get me the cellphone out of your pocket that you just got it. he took it out and was like oh this is not my phone sorry and blah blah blah. i could have yelled at him but because of his age i just said next time be careful.and he just rushed out of that place without doing his shopping.

Lullabelle, thanks for posting this thread and bringing it to public attention. The general perception is that Qatar is very safe but it's prudent to be alert. It's not the loss of the camera itself that's the issue here, as you said... it's the fact that it was stolen.

Coming from Malaysia and being on my own a lot, I'm automatically cautious. On the whole, it is safer here in Qatar but still, we need to keep our eyes peeled.

I understand underpaid workers, low wages and bad working conditions, etc. but IMHO, nothing justifies causing harm to another person, as far as possible. In these thieves' view, they probably think that other people can well afford it but I can't even feed my family. They don't see beyond their own desperate situations. The person they stole from could have been made a bankrupt and actually, also cannot afford to feed his family currently, and he was just invited by his friend to attend a fancy dinner at the hotel, to help bring him out of the doldrums temporarily... but the thieves won't see that.

It is true that generally it's easier to be charitable when you have money. But it is also easy to be charitable when you don't have money,if your priorities are different. I know many people who are poor back home and frankly, they are about the nicest, kindest, down to earth people I know. They (generally) think of people other than themselves. Perhaps it's upbringing - religious or otherwise. They don't have a materialistic streak, seek not to harm other people, etc. I'm talking generally, of course.

/Note: I'm not talking about some of the egoistical, city slickers - the ones who don't give 2 hoots about anyone other than themselves - also a generalization. There are always exceptions.

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Don't want no drama,

No, no drama, no, no, no, no drama

things happen in Qatar? where do you think they happen and why? Why would they not happen in qatar?

I am always excited to go to sleep! In anticipation of the new experience I will find awaiting me.

Pajju..............

I know it is you, please give the Camera back and u will be rewarded :)

I really dont mind that who ever stole it helped themselves to few bucks and send it back home or what not. i am all FOR the rights of underpaid workers, i completely understand the low wages and their bad working conditions and the awful things they must put up with in a day of doha life. And ofcourse i don't expect them to see this post for whatever reason.

I, too was just sharing my story.

as i mentioned the pictures were valuable.

when i said "as to my suprise" i was merely being sarcastic, cuz i have seen/heard alot of odd scenarios with the lulu staff. They are not undercover police but the security guards are there for a reason?!

The idea of surveillance cameras in supermarkets' sound just about right!

:) thats all. ciao

we are responsible for our own valuables....just be carefull always and cautious....:)

"Prevention is better than cure" as they may say it..;)

Guess times are bad huh!?

Thanks for the information guys.. will be careful then..

i agree with you Xena ... :)

Xena, I think most South Africans here tend to be cautious. I do the same, lock doors, watch my bag, like you say old habits die hard.

and still to this day, I lock my car doors when I am driving, and watch my bag where ever I am.

Old habits die hard, I'm afraid...

"if you don't like the heat... get out of the kitchen... but stop trying to fan the flames before you leave... it will burn you on the a** as you go through the doorway...." ME

visit www.qaws.org

wondering why they dont have surveillance cameras in the supermarkets n all...at someplaces they are a very effective deterrant even if they dont work!! ;)

Not sure who you think is making stupid comments lullabelle, but all I'll say is that if you wouldn't dream about doing it back home in the UK then it's probably a good idea not to do it here either. That's good advice for everyone.

i am in shock dat these things happen in qatar!!!!!!!!!

am new in qatar.....

thanks for writing such stories on QL so ppl can beaware....

I was shopping at a market in china and my cam got stolen too, someone was hiding in the clothes and kindly went into my purse and took my cam. thank goodness I had my wallet in my hand/ i soon realized how lucky I was to have the wallet in my hand because my pass port was in it and return ticket.

I am always excited to go to sleep! In anticipation of the new experience I will find awaiting me.

leaving it on the table but you do think that things will be ok in a 5 star establishment. I would never dream of doing anything like that back home in the UK. I just wanted to warn others about it. And like I said they are welcome to the camera. And if people have nothing constructive to add please keep your stupid comments to yourself.

lol Novi - that's one for the tourism board;

"Come to Qatar, where low crime doesn't mean no crime."

for those moms at school who leave their car engine on, door open, handbag, ipod, mobile, dvd players, etc in the car while you are collecting your child ... dont be surprise one day it will get stolen.

Low crime doesnt means no crime ....

See tess, that's exactly the problem. Everyone hears about how safe Qatar is so they let their guard down, and are then surprised when their unguarded valuables get stolen.

It's good that people post these stories because it may make people realise that there is crime here, and it's only going to get worse. It can't be long before credit card fraud and identity theft arrive in Qatar.

So, u really think a guy / gurl who stole ur cam wud b readin this...??/ Thts funny, y wud anyone steal anything, cos dey need money, u really think a rich person wud need ur cam??? Sorry 2 say dis, i guess by now ur cam wud hav been sold for couple of bucks just so tht the person can get sumthing 2 eat or buy clothes or send it over 2 his country. And trust me, he or she wudnt even hav a QL id...

Well think about it - temptation is put in front of a poorly paid person, it's hardly surprising that some give in and grab a phone/camera/bag from an unguarded trolley or table. It would happen anywhere.

last time my cousin went to Four seasons for lunch , n her mobile got stolen. imagine in a 5 star hotel. when she complained, they eventually found her phone but her sim card was missing. n they wouldnt even tell her wht happd.

I suspect both these incidents, while regrettable, are a result of the lax attitude to security that prevails here. Just because everyone says "Doha is so safe" doesn't mean you should go round leaving valuables lying on tables or turn your back on your handbag.

"my suprise nothing was done by the lulu staff"

They are not undercover police to protect your camera ;0

Ban Spoon Feeding not Me

Just a few weeks ago, my in-laws were in town, and this was there first time visiting qatar, they took many pics using my brand new camera!! we went to lulu for grocery shopping and my camera was stolen out of my bag!!i did not leave my bag unattended on the trolley. i just turned for a few moments to pick something out from the frozen section!

as to my suprise nothing was done by the lulu staff. I, also cared only for the pictures as they were very valuable to us but ALAS!!

They stole it from right under your nose?

Lucky you they never stole your underwear ;)

Ban Spoon Feeding not Me

.catch me if can, hihihih.......(J/K)

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.seriously, so sad but there are desperate theives wherever you are.....

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