73 Phones Vanish Worth ₹23.85 Lakh Amid Enrique Iglesias’ Mumbai Concert Frenzy
Mumbai : What began as a euphoric evening for more than 25,000 music lovers ended in dismay at the MMRDA grounds in Bandra Kurla Complex, where pickpockets struck with ruthless efficiency during Enrique Iglesias’ maiden Mumbai show on Wednesday night. A staggering 73 smartphones, collectively valued at ₹23.85 lakh, were lifted from pockets and bags as fans swayed to the Spanish superstar’s timeless anthems.
The 50-year-old Grammy winner delivered a high-voltage 90-minute set, belting out crowd favourites like ‘Hero’ and ‘Bailamos’ that transported the audience back to the early 2000s. Yet, beneath the strobe lights and cheers, organised thieves operated undetected in the packed venue, targeting a cross-section of attendees who had shelled out at least ₹7,000 per ticket.
Among the victims were a makeup artist, a hotelier, several students, a journalist, and multiple businessmen—everyday professionals whose night of nostalgia turned into a scramble for police assistance. By Thursday morning, seven separate First Information Reports (FIRs) had been lodged at the local police station, detailing the coordinated snatch-and-grab operation that exploited the concert’s chaotic energy.
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Authorities confirmed the thefts occurred amid the dense crowd in Mumbai’s bustling commercial hub, with no arrests reported so far. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage and crowd-sourced mobile tracking data to trace the missing devices, many of which were high-end models.
The incident has sparked concerns over event security protocols at large-scale gatherings, prompting organisers to promise enhanced measures for future shows. For the affected fans, the loss extends beyond rupees: irreplaceable photos, contacts, and memories captured during Iglesias’ electrifying performance now rest in unknown hands.
As Mumbai police intensify their probe, the episode serves as a stark reminder that even under the spell of global stardom, vigilance remains the ultimate ticket to safety.