German Tourist Phone Snatched in Mandawa, Locals Catch Thief

German Tourist Phone Snatched in Mandawa, Locals Catch Accused on CCTV

India Desk | Sunday, November 8, 2026, 04:24 IST

A street in Mandawa, Rajasthan, where a German tourist's phone was snatched.

CCTV cameras captured the mobile snatching incident in Mandawa.

A youth snatched a German tourist's mobile phone in Rajasthan's Mandawa, but the tourist chased him and locals caught the accused, with the whole incident caught on CCTV cameras.

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A youth snatched the mobile phone of a German tourist in Mandawa, the heritage town in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district, and tried to flee, but the tourist chased him and locals caught the accused.

The incident was captured on CCTV cameras installed nearby. The phone was recovered and handed back to the tourist, who was part of a 20-member group from Germany visiting Mandawa.

The group had come to see the town's historic havelis and other tourist spots. The incident has raised questions about the safety of foreign visitors in the town.

Chase caught on CCTV

The youth grabbed the mobile phone from the German tourist's hand and started running. The tourist did not lose courage and ran after him, and people nearby joined the chase on hearing the noise.

The accused was caught, and the snatched mobile was recovered and returned to the tourist. The tourist breathed a sigh of relief on getting his phone back.

The full sequence, from the snatching to the chase, was recorded on CCTV cameras. The footage shows the youth running away with the phone and the tourist and locals chasing him.

Touts add to the trouble

Mandawa is known worldwide for its historic havelis, and a large number of foreign tourists visit the town. Some people follow foreign tourists and pressure them to buy goods, which adds to their trouble.

People without licences to work as guides also follow tourists, according to the report. After the snatching incident, questions are being raised about the activities of such people.

Only two Tourist Help Force staff in Mandawa

The government has posted two Tourist Help Force personnel in Mandawa for the safety and assistance of foreign tourists. Harisingh of the Tourist Help Force said unlicensed guides found moving with tourists are identified, photographed and reported to the police station, but the force has no power to take direct action against them.

With only two personnel on duty, the town's ability to keep foreign visitors safe remains a live question. The incident has put the focus back on tourist safety in one of Rajasthan's best known heritage towns.