Chicago, Illinois, USA: A video shared by an Indian woman after a chain-snatching incident in downtown Chicago has gone viral, prompting growing safety concerns among social media users. The woman, identified as Chabi Gupta, experienced a terrifying moment when her gold chain was stolen in broad daylight on a busy street.
Posting about the ordeal on Instagram, Gupta said, “Someone just snatched my chain. I was walking through downtown Chicago, and suddenly this guy came and grabbed it. Can you see the bruises? Thank God I managed to hold on to my locket, but the hook broke. Everyone, please stay alert.”
In the same clip, Gupta also shared a video call with her mother, who was visibly shaken by the news. Her mother expressed deep concern and mentioned that Gupta’s father couldn’t sleep after learning what happened. “Such things never happened in Ranchi, Patna, or Bengaluru, wherever you lived. I always thought Chicago was safe. This really worries me,” her mother said during the call.
Incident Details
Speaking with Hindustan Times, Gupta confirmed that the incident occurred around 4 p.m. in the heart of downtown Chicago, surrounded by passersby. Her video featured an on-screen caption that read, “Walking through downtown Chicago — felt completely safe as usual. Then, out of nowhere, a man tried to snatch my gold chain right in front of everyone, and no one reacted. Thankfully, I held onto it in time; only the clasp broke, and he disappeared in seconds. Stay aware — the world isn’t as safe as it looks.”
In her Instagram caption, Gupta added, “Can’t believe this happened to me. Got my chain snatched in broad daylight, right in the middle of a busy Chicago street. I froze for a second — that’s how real this city can get. Not trying to scare anyone, just stating facts. Chicago has seen a rise in chain snatching and street robberies lately, especially near the Loop and Magnificent Mile. So if you’re out here, keep your jewellery hidden, stay aware, and avoid walking alone when possible. I love this city, but we can’t take safety lightly. Be smart, be alert, stay safe.”
Public Reactions
The clip, which has now surpassed 900,000 views, triggered an outpouring of comments. One user remarked, “And they say India isn’t safe,” while another commented, “Turns out the U.S. has a higher crime rate than India.” A third viewer advised, “We shouldn’t wear gold chains anywhere these days.” Many others left messages like, “Stay safe,” and “And they say Delhi is unsafe — snatchers are everywhere.”
