A content creator shared that his wallet was stolen while attending an anime-related event at a shopping mall.
“Kuya Bert” of “Team Kabagang” said his wallet was stolen during the “Animezing North: One Piece” event at a mall in Quezon City, which runs until August 30.
“Animezing North: One Piece” is an event featuring various activities, including merch sales and character meet-and-greets, for fans of the anime series.
The content creator captured the incident with a 360-degree camera he brought to the event, saying he is a “solid fan” of “One Piece,” an anime about an aspiring pirate and his crew searching for a legendary treasure.
Kuya Bert said he has been attending the same event for the past four years, but it was the “first time” such an incident had happened to him.
He uploaded footage from his 360 camera, which showed him engrossed in the activities onstage.
However, a hand suddenly reached into his messenger bag without him noticing.
The hand appeared to belong to the woman beside him, who looked at the bag before glancing at another woman behind him and then appearing to take the wallet.
The woman then moved away from Kuya Bert, while he brought out his camera to take photos.
“Nadukutan po ako ng wallet habang nasa One Piece Event… Mabuti na lang at may 360 camera akong gamit noong mga oras na iyon, at malinaw na nakuhanan sa footage ang taong kumuha ng wallet,” Kuya Bert wrote in a Facebook on August 18.
“Baka may nakakakilala sa taong nasa video. Kung may anumang impormasyon kayo na makakatulong para makilala siya o mabawi ang wallet ko, paki-message po ako privately,” he added.
“Malaking tulong po ang pag-share ng post na ito. Baka may nakakakilala sa kanya at matulungan akong mabawi ang aking wallet. Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng tutulong at magsha-share,” the content creator said.
In the comments, a Facebook user claimed that the thief could be the same person who allegedly stole an iPhone 17 on August 18 at the similar event.
Kuya Bert’s footage also made the rounds on Reddit, where it garnered 2,900 upvotes and over 220 comments.
“Kitang-kita kung pano umaaligid-aligid ‘yung mga kawatan while looking for a victim. Kita din na talagang nagsuot pa sila ng merch to blend in with the crowd during the cosplay event,” a Redditor said.
The Reddit user alleged that the thieves were not caught and may have been targeting other people in the area as well.
The post raised concern among other Filipinos, including some who claimed to have previously encountered the group.
“Parang familiar sina ate. Nakita ko na sila before sa Ikea, nag-iikot sa resto na parang naghahanap ng next victim. Ni-report ko na lang sa staff na medyo matyagan nila,” a Reddit user wrote.
Others commented that the woman beside Kuya Bert did not appear to be someone who would typically attend such events.
“Pero ang weird diyan eh ano ginagawa ng nanay na mukang nagzu-zumba sa lugawan na unli sa isang One Piece event?” a Redditor wrote.
