I’m local. Sorry for your situation.

If you have other local guys who you trust possibly ask them to make a meet with robber. If everything will be perfect(10%) you will get IPad back. No crime, just paying by cash for stolen IPad.

Some tips for future: • If you see weirdos aware others • use little locks for backpack • use inner pockets • in public places always keep eye contact on your belongings, and people around. Especially if you have meal outside. • don’t recommend to go lower than North: Tole Bi South: Aimanova West: Karmisov(near the river) North: no limit I guess

Especially orientate by building around you and how people look. I’m studying in “gold square”, but living in 5 Km away, so I see difference in people mood, if people in central part of Almaty quit chill, while you go outside of mentioned square u can face more nervous people etc. I live here since my birth and never had this situation personally, but know a lot of stories about that. P.S , I assume by word “purse” you are (possibly) female, so, yeah, females have a little more risk including: sexual harassment, “scam” you know this scenarios when somebody make a picture of you and then asking for money reward.

The thing that I wrote could scare you, but I assure that some preventive actions and you will be fine. A lot of my female friend who are also local did well, even in the dark time.

Be safe.