Whenever we need help taking photos while visiting a foreign country, we would usually ask for a person’s help with it and trust that nothing untoward will come out of it.
A tourist from China was left with a bad taste in her mouth following a visit to the popular Fort Canning Tree Tunnel in Singapore, where a stranger ran off with her camera after helping her take several photos with it.
China tourist loses RM3.3K camera to stranger at Fort Canning Tree Tunnel
Speaking to Shin Min Daily News about the unfortunate incident, the 21-year-old woman named Lee said she had visited Fort Canning Tree Tunnel around 12.45pm on Feb 20.
While there, she requested for help with taking photos from a woman clad in a white dress and straw hat and handed both her phone and a DJI pocket gimbal camera.
“She was standing behind me, and we spoke for a short while. After taking the photos, she gave me back my phone to check the pictures before leaving the scene quickly.
Less than three minutes later, I realised she was still holding on to my camera. I immediately went looking for her at the park but was unsuccessful.
“Feeling helpless, I was left with no other option but to call the police,” she recounted, adding that she took responsibility for not taking back the camera once the photos were taken.
Lee also said the camera had cost her a fortune, where she bought it four months ago for around S$1000 (approx. RM3,300).
Difficult search for camera
The police later reviewed CCTV footage taken near Fort Canning Tree Tunnel and discovered the woman was accompanied by a middle-aged man.
However, the search for the woman was hampered as there were no surveillance cameras near the Tree Tunnel itself.
Lee, who was scheduled to leave Singapore on Feb 22, said she was informed by the customer service team that the camera doesn’t have a tracking feature, meaning it can still be used even if reported missing.
“But if the person intends to return it, they should be able to contact me through customer service or the police,” she added.
Police confirmed with Shin Min that a police report was lodged and investigations are currently underway.
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