A tourist reported a theft to the Mossos d’Esquadra, alleging the loss of a watch valued at €800,000. The victim says the incident happened yesterday afternoon near Plaça de Sant Jaume in Barcelona, when several thieves acted in concert, violently snatching the watch from his wrist before fleeing the scene.
At present, Mossos d’Esquadra have not announced any arrests and continue to investigate the incident. The case stands out as one of the most expensive watch thefts recorded in the Catalan capital. Earlier incidents involved watches valued at €200,000 to €300,000, but the reported value here is considerably higher. Some reports mention the possibility that the watch could be a Black Caviar Bang from the Swiss luxury brand Hublot, though details remain unconfirmed.
In response to this trend of high-value, violent thefts against travelers, Mossos d’Esquadra has recently established a dedicated unit aimed at disrupting packs of thieves who target luxury timepieces. This team focuses on attacks against tourists and on dismantling networks that source, trade, and move stolen goods to international buyers.
For travelers in Barcelona as well as visitors from Canada, the United States, and beyond, the authorities advise heightened vigilance in busy tourist areas, especially when wearing flashy jewelry or watches. When confronted by a robbery, individuals are urged to prioritize personal safety and contact local police as soon as possible to preserve evidence and support the investigation. The Mossos unit emphasizes cooperation with international partners to trace stolen items and curb the supply chains that feed this crime phenomenon, which appears to be affecting several major European cities.
Attributions: Information based on official statements from Mossos d’Esquadra and corroborated coverage in local media. Further updates will be provided by the police as the inquiry progresses.