A Brazilian content creator was left shaken after a thief smashed the window of her car and snatched her iPhone while she was caught in traffic, with the brazen robbery captured on a dashcam and later spreading widely online.
The incident reportedly happened as the woman, identified in reports as Tabatha, was sitting in her vehicle amid slow-moving traffic. A motorcycle approached the car before a pillion rider suddenly got off and headed towards her vehicle.
Without warning, the man smashed one of the car windows and reached inside to grab her phone. The entire incident unfolded within seconds, leaving the woman visibly stunned before the suspects quickly fled the area.
Footage of the incident has since gone viral on social media, with many viewers expressing shock at how quickly the theft was carried out. The video also prompted renewed concerns over vehicle-window robberies targeting motorists stuck in congested traffic in parts of Brazil.
The situation reportedly became even more alarming when the woman later discovered that money had been transferred from her bank account. Reports accompanying the viral footage claimed the suspects were able to move funds despite allegedly not having her password, Face ID access or banking transfer PIN.
The reported bank transactions have raised questions among social media users about how the criminals may have gained access to the victim’s financial accounts after stealing her phone. However, the exact method used to access or transfer the money has not been established in the information available.
Some social media users questioned how the robbery had been recorded if the victim’s phone was stolen. Others pointed out that the footage appeared to have been captured by a separate dashboard camera installed inside the vehicle.
Many viewers also sympathised with the woman after seeing her emotional reaction immediately following the theft. The sudden attack, shattered window and loss of her phone left her visibly distressed.
The viral video serves as another reminder for motorists to remain alert while stopped in traffic, particularly in areas where vehicle-window thefts are known to occur. It also highlights the importance of taking additional precautions when smartphones are used to access sensitive banking and financial information.
