Lost my iPhone 5 while traveling in China?

Some bastard pickpocketed my phone on the subway. Kudos to his skills; I'll be sure to hunt the asshole down later.

Anyways, I've already went online to AT&T (my service provider) and reported it stolen, so it's not suspended to prevent outside users. Plus, it's passcode protected and it's from the US, so it can't even be used in China.

Besides all that, what else should I do for precaution? Should I go ahead and remotely erase it as well?

If it has a pass code the thief can't unlock it unless they have a special machine thingy, but as you said they can't use it in china anyway, so I wouldn't go remotely erasing stuff unless you are sure they could get into it. You might even be able to get it back and then you'd have nothing on there. It's up to you really

I think you should erase it. If you know China, you will know the possibility of getting it back is very slim. You didn't report it to police, no one is chasing the thief. Let's face it, there's no way to hunt him down. Although it can't be used in china, the thief's not gonna give it back to you, so you better erase it.

If its connect to social media etc etc change your passwords, if its on line rental report it stolen so you don't get charged for calls etc.

Its very unlikely you get it back, and there are plenty of people who will unlock it.

So in the long run yes it would be wise to remotely erase it.

They will probably try to sell it online back to the US Or just use it as an ipod touch. I would set it to remotely erase, no reason not to do that.

Consider it a lesson learned about traveling in China. Next time, buy the higher end model with a remote detonator. You just have to call your own cellphone, type in the code, and…
KABOOM! No more pickpocket!

Think of the service you will be doing for other tourists following behind you.

They've probably erased it for you by now, and have sold it to some other foreigner on the sidewalk by going "Hello? Iphone?"