Mumbai vs London: In which city is your phone more likely to get stolen? UK man in viral video gives his answer

What happens when a globetrotter compares phone safety in two of the world’s most iconic cities—Mumbai and London? UK-based content creator Onat Siahaan recently set social media buzzing with a video that highlights a stark and surprising contrast. While Mumbai’s bustling streets allowed him to stroll freely, phone in hand, London’s supposedly safer corners made him tuck his device away nervously. His experience has left viewers debating which city actually feels safer.

Onat, who has travelled to more than 30 capital cities, admitted he was shocked by his inability to use his phone freely in London, one of the most developed cities in the world. In the viral clip, he casually roams the busy lanes of Mumbai with his phone out in plain sight. But in London, he can be seen slipping it into his coat, wary of snatchers.

He explained that the London segment was filmed in what he thought was one of the city’s safest spots. Yet, immediately after shooting (the video), patrolling officers warned him about the rise in phone thefts. They even cautioned that simply sitting on the grass with a phone visible could make someone an easy target. The warning rattled him so much that he abandoned his picnic plans altogether and went home.

The viral video has clearly struck a chord, turning the Mumbai vs London debate into a surprising revelation about safety, trust, and the everyday act of simply holding your phone.


Internet's reaction
The video has since sparked a wave of reactions online, with many chiming in with their own stories. One user recalled being pickpocketed in London despite having lived in countries like India, South Africa, and Colombia without issue. Another shared how a thief on a bicycle tried to yank their phone near the British Museum in broad daylight. A few even admitted they avoid taking their phones out at all in London due to paranoia.

Interestingly, many also backed Onat’s take by pointing out how safe they felt in Mumbai. One user who spent five weeks in Mumbai and just two days in London revealed their phone was stolen in the UK capital, not in India. Another joked about telling friends in the UK about London’s theft problem, only to offend them in the process.