Sign in

Influencer leaves gold jewellery on car bonnet in busy Dubai street, what happens next is unreal

An influencer’s viral video showed gold jewellery left on a Dubai car staying untouched for 30 minutes, highlighting the city's unmatched safety and honesty.

Published on: Dec 7, 2024, 06:30:04 IST
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
Copy link
  • copy link

Dubai, a city celebrated for its luxury, innovation, and strict laws, has once again demonstrated why it’s considered one of the safest cities in the world. A recent viral video by influencer Leyla Afshonkar has captured the attention of millions, showcasing an unusual social experiment involving gold jewellery left unattended in a busy area.

Influencer left gold jewellery on a car in Dubai; it stayed untouched, proving the city’s safety. (Instagram/leylafshonkar)
Influencer left gold jewellery on a car in Dubai; it stayed untouched, proving the city’s safety. (Instagram/leylafshonkar)

(Also read: 'Happens only in Dubai': Toddlers use $500k Ferrari as birthday party prop, paint it with watercolours)

Testing Dubai’s trust

The video begins with Afshonkar placing a gold necklace and earrings on the bonnet of a blue BMW. She then steps into a nearby shop, leaving the jewellery exposed to test the city’s safety. To her astonishment, pedestrians walked past without as much as a glance at the valuables.

In one striking moment, a woman notices a fallen piece of jewellery, picks it up, and carefully places it back on the car. Even after half an hour, the gold remained untouched. Reflecting on the experiment, Afshonkar comments in the clip, "It's been half an hour, and literally no one has touched the gold. And tell me Dubai is not the safest country in the world."

Watch the clip here:

Internet reacts: Praise and doubts

The video’s virality has sparked a wave of reactions, generating over 15.8k comments. While many viewers praised Dubai’s sense of security, others expressed scepticism about the experiment’s authenticity.

(Also read: This is how desi labourers are living in Dubai. Internet calls it ‘chicken farm’)

One commenter marvelled, “Only in Dubai can you leave gold out in the open and expect it to be there when you return!” Another added, “This is why Dubai is unmatched—respect and discipline everywhere.”

However, some raised doubts. “How do we know this wasn’t staged? It seems too perfect,” one user questioned. Another echoed similar sentiments: “The camera angle makes it seem like people knew they were being filmed.”

Others turned the focus to cultural values. “This speaks volumes about the residents and their upbringing,” a viewer wrote. Another cheekily added, “Would love to see this experiment in another city—results would be... interesting!”

  • Mahipal Singh Chouhan
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Mahipal Singh Chouhan

    Mahipal Singh Chouhan is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, with nearly five years of experience in digital journalism and content production. He primarily covers offbeat, trending and human-interest stories, with a focus on emerging social media trends, online conversations and real-world incidents that capture public attention. At Hindustan Times, Mahipal works on identifying and developing fast-moving digital stories, adding context and journalistic perspective to viral moments while maintaining accuracy, clarity and readability for online audiences. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, he was associated with DNA India, where he gained experience in newsroom workflows and digital storytelling. He holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi. Beyond journalism, he has a keen interest in history and sports and enjoys expanding his general knowledge.Read More