'If you travel Europe...": Indian founder shares nightmare after his Passport, US visa, & cash stolen at Starbucks in Spain

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 India.

Ayush 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 gone.

CCTV access denied, police response delayed

Panchmiya 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.”

Embassy assistance enables return

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 said.

Panchmiya 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.