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40 Of The Most Used Tourist Scams That Still Work Because Not Enough People Are Aware Of Them
Tourists are often unfamiliar with the place they’re visiting, its customs and local people, and need information and guidance to get around. And while most locals are willing to help them, some are interested only in taking advantage of these gullible foreigners, getting a hold of their cash and credit cards.
Most travel scams are very smart. The crooks have developed elaborate schemes on how to cheat those traveling abroad out of money and get away with it. Some of their methods are quite obvious once they have occurred, with the victim realizing they have been conned but only after it’s too late. Other tourist scams are more subtle, and the victim may never know that something went wrong. Tourist scammers also know how to take advantage of local laws and law enforcement, giving themselves an advantage against travelers and a get-out-of-jail-free card should their tricks go wrong.
To help people avoid trouble while on holiday, UK-based travel website Just The Flight created an infographic where they share some of the biggest scams and the locations they’re widespread in. Hopefully, these travel tips will help you once the pandemic is over and the borders open again.
RELATED:
Image credits: www.justtheflight.co.uk
“Many of the most successful gambits require a naive and trusting tourist. But don’t think it can’t happen to more sophisticated travelers, too,” American traveler Rick Steves wrote. “There are many subtle ways to be scammed — a cabbie pads your fare, a shop clerk suddenly inflates prices, a public Internet terminal records your password, or a waiter offers a special with a ‘special’ increased price. Be smart: Know what you are paying for before handing over money, and always count your change.”
If a bargain seems too good to be true, it’s too good to be true.
Here’s what people said about this
What do you think ?
Giovanni 5 years ago
If you visit Italy avoid restaurants with exposed Italian flags, they know that tourists have no idea of what italian food tastes or looks like and will overcharge you for frozen food and/or fake italian food like spaghetti meatballs and fettuccine alfredo.
Martha Meyer 5 years ago
Spaghetti meatballs are an American thing. I'd be surprised if even a tourist trap had something like that on the menu.
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Nea 5 years ago
But some of them may be false. Everything they said about delhi is not true. People there dont even know what rosemary is... cant say about other places.
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JessG 5 years ago
They should also mention the "fix your car" scam that happens in the U.S. and happened to me. Some guys will notice a dent I. Your car and offer to fix it on the spot for cheap. Then they do a crappy job and demand a couple hundred bucks, and if you don't have it, demand to follow you to an ATM to get it. Yes, I was VERY young and VERY naive.
Rick 5 years ago
You should have drove to a police station (though of course it’s easy to say this reading a story back through adult experiences compared to being young and put on the spot).
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Lillukka 5 years ago (edited)
Am I a bad person, but if someone throuws anything, including a baby, at me I will swat it away as a reflect.
Weim Central 5 years ago
Nope - you're not a bad person. Dodging thrown objects is a completely justifiable instinct. I've had a bridal bouquet bounce off my chest. Nope!
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Treessimontrees 5 years ago
I was in Cairo in 2014 and a taxi ride of maybe 2.5 miles amounted to $50. It should have been more like $2-3. The driver got extremely aggressive and wouldn't let me out of his car. Had to fight my way out. Similar thing, in Marrakech - a simple market meal and the stall owner asked for something like $150, luckily a local guy helped me out and chastised the stall owner. I paid 55 cents.
Esca Sav 5 years ago
Istanbul Grand Bazaar, everything was significantly upped in prices because I spoke English. Was a little cheaper if I spoke Polish. Bottom price when my niece ripped them a new one in Turkish. It's crazy...
Load More Replies... Hans 5 years ago
Rationale of all: employ common sense, not only but partcularly when on holiday. The joke here is, though: which tourism this summer? All thse con artists are out of business at the moment, or they switched to the dspicable "knock the door of old people and tell them they need money for their COVID-sick relatives immediately" scam.
Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
You nailed it, Hans. Employ common sense. If anyone travels with the conviction and the fear that everybody is out to get you, well, then better stay home, don't go out at all! Live a thoroughly boring life doing nothing and you can die satisfied that you never fell for a single scam...
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Cathelijne van Weelden 5 years ago
I have done the photographer many times without running away with the camera or asking for money! (I live in Amsterdam) I dunno I was always very on guard when I started traveling, but I noticed there are waaaaaaay more people who genuinely want to help you then there are scammers..
Gipsy Kings fan 5 years ago
Anyone who travels should bookmark this article! Someone should make it into a handy printable PDF file to help travelers memorize these scams. The "dropped wallet" reminds me of something my grandfather told me. He was a conductor on the elevated trains in Chicago. There was a problem with pickpockets in the train stations, so the transit company put up signs, "Beware of pickpockets." The sign made the problem worse. Men who saw the sign would instinctively pat their the pocket where they kept their wallet, to make sure it was still there, thus showing the pickpockets exactly where to find the wallet! The transit company removed the signs.
BiEL Sampaio 5 years ago
As a brasilian raised in scams, robbery and violence I wont fall for most of them.
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Ana Arena 5 years ago
Im Spanish and the cassier one doesnt happen. And I feel personally attacked cause i used to work in Plaza Mayor de Madrid, near puerta del Sol and i ALWAYS offered my help: to avoid tourist traps, to take photos, to give directions or help with the metro tickets. You just have to be careful with pickpockets and the gipsies. Dont mess with those old ladies.
Cathelijne van Weelden 5 years ago
Yeah right?! So many people do want to help and have no bad intentions
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Icantdraw 5 years ago
I don't think that this article could've been made at a more inopportune time
Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
There is never a good time for nonsense. Common sense, now that rocks!
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Jill Pulcifer 5 years ago
The friendship bracelet one happened to me in Cancun back in the 90's. A child approached me and just grabbed my wrist and started to tie it on, then proceeded to demand money, when I turned him down he waved several more children over who all started to beg loudly.
Rick 5 years ago
I had something similar: a woman tied a bracelet around my wrist even though I told her no a few times. When she finished I undid it and tried to give it back to her but she wouldn’t take it. I placed it on the floor at her feet and walked off. She couldn’t accuse me of being a thief as people saw me do this and also the fact that I was no longer wearing a bracelet that she “sold” to me
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Martha Meyer 5 years ago
I think a lot of these can be avoided if you try to look as little like a tourist as possible. The scammers might jump on the obvious looking ones first.
Aunt Messy 5 years ago
Also....don't be stupid and use that tour bag they give you. That's nothing more than a big neon sign saying "sucker".
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Maria Chevtaeva 5 years ago (edited)
The most common tourist scam im Moscow is when guys in mascot costumes (the characters from Madagascar cartoon are super popular) offer to take a photo with you, seemingly for free and afterwards start asking for money or demand that you delete their photo. Most of the times they do that very aggressively and tourists get scared and just give them all the money they have on hand. NEVER take photos with them. They`ll try to hug or playfully dance with you, just walk the other direction when you see them. And the taxi one is also super popular. Taxi drivers can ask for 5000 rubles ($67 and that`s A LOT,) for a ride from one of the airports to the centre of the city, when the usual price is about 2000 rubles ($27) maximum.
Ray Heap 5 years ago
The Eurocash ATM machines that charge you a 18 Euro fee if you withdraw cash with a non local card. To be found in tourist traps all over Europe.
Andrea Anthony 5 years ago
I lived in Paris and witnessed the thrown baby scam there. I also witnessed a metro scam where one man will slip a small currency bill under a person's shoe and act like the person stepped on it and is trying to get their money back (while holding down the foot). while the [person is distracted, a second person pickpockets and then they both slip off the train as the metro doors close. when the victim realizes what happened, it's too late. I also fell victim to the taxi driver/suitcase scam in NYC when I was very young. learned that one the hard way.
Aunt Messy 5 years ago
Someone tried the ring toss scam with me. When I picked up the ring, she asked to look at it and I told her that I'd seen the guy who dropped it.....and ran off to "catch" him. The next day, I was on the same bridge and she pointed me out to her "husband"....who met my eye and laughed his a*s off.
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Daria B 5 years ago
Useful information, however, the dropped wallet one works only if it's designed similarly as yours. I know from experience (not scam, thankfully, just really came across genuinely lost wallets and never had the urge to check mine. Picked it up instead and handed it to the shop keeper, or whoever manages the place where I happened to find it.)
Lillukka 5 years ago
This is what I would do even if it looked like mine; pick it up and hand it in somewhere.
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mermaidgirl960 5 years ago
While this won't prevent pickpocketing, it might lower your chances of someone trying to steal your purse of your shoulder. Rather than have it hanging from your shoulder where it can easily fall off, you can have it diagonally and it will be harder to pull off as it has to go over your head to come off.
Full Name 5 years ago
Best thing I've seen is people sewing a zippered pocket on their undershirt's chest to keep their money. Then they wear a dark shirt over that and you can't tell. Zero% chance of getting pickpocketed. Then you keep your fake wallet with very little money in it to give in case you get mugged.
Mariana Tamayo 5 years ago
All of those and thousands more can happen here in Mexico. Almost all of my foreign friends that had come here have stories about scamming.
regi stra 5 years ago
Police man stolen us 50€ in Mexico (we have hidden all the other money, since he wanted 200€!!), cause we was "too fast" with our car (like 40Km/h, cause we were lost) turns out most of them stop rented car from tourist for scam them! Also all the taxy driver try to scam you, and EVERYWHERE you will go literally everybody will ask you for tips, even if they give you a really bad service.... but... despite this, it was one of my most beautifull holiday
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Tovah Roche 5 years ago
The taxi scam in Las Vegas is a bit of an exaggeration. I've lived there off and on throughout my life. I've worked in Vegas's hospitality industry. My family spent many years in the industry as well. Needless to say, I've heard all kinds of stories from tourist. But I've never heard about a taxi making off with bags. I'm sure it happens but I don't think it happens enough to consider it popular.
Nick 5 years ago
Cab drivers in Vegas are pretty legit. They might "long haul" you but outright theft is definitely out of the norm.
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Maya Baggins 5 years ago
From Barcelona: Never have I ever seen the cashier one, not done to me or seen it being done
Rick 5 years ago
You live in Barcelona or you’ve visited as a tourist? Because scams happen in my city too, but I have never seen them because I’m not a tourist and don’t hang around doing touristy things
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Dutch VanZandt 5 years ago
I went to Barcelona with a friend. Two Roma women tried to sell us a flower and all they wanted in return was a 'new' penny. We were artfully led away from each other- I told my scammer I had no pennies and showed her a handful of change, offering her a euro. She declined and kept nattering at me... My friend, however, opened her purse to show the woman she had no pennies. I finally managed to evade my assailant and made my way towards my friend- suddenly the two women scurried away. We only realised they'd stolen 300 Euros from her purse when we went to pay at a restaurant a little later. Ended up at a police station with a "United Nations" of victims who had all sorts stolen off them... the police were busy. We ended up logging a report and trying to identify the two women in a mugshot book with more than a hundred Roma women's photos. Needless to say, we couldn't ID anyone with certainty.
ADHORTATOR 5 years ago
The ring scam happened to me in Paris, 10 years ago...Place Vendôme where almost all the great jewellers have their shops...the guy tried to sell me the story that somebody must have lost this oversizend golden ring after buying it...
Aunt Messy 5 years ago
Someone tried that on me on the bridge by Musee D'Orsay.
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Rose the Cook 5 years ago
Beware of groups of child beggars in Cairo. While a couple harrass you, another will slit the bottom of your bag while yet another holds a plastic bag underneath to catch whatever falls out. To avoid this, shorten the shoulder strap of your bag so it sits under your arm and hold it firmly to your side with your arm.
Gogubaci 5 years ago
Unfortunately I recognise some of these as being performed by less savoury individuals who have the same passport as I do. I have witnessed the street game scam live performed on some poor sods while I was in Paris. Also I think it should be common sense to do extensive research about the destination when travelling, this is how you find out that you should stay away from drugs in SE Asia as punishments can go up to the death sentence, also that's how you find out Mongolians are the most welcoming and genuine people on the planet. Do your research, keep your eyes peeled, and never put all your eggs in one basket.
Ausrine Ciapaite 5 years ago
The rose and massage thing happened to me in Sicily too. Was very unpleasant and almost screwed up the day.
Christian Bradshaw 5 years ago
So, I've never been pick-pocketed, so I don't have a lot of room to talk, but, how do people not notice when they're being pick-pocketed? Maybe I just have tight pants, but if someone stuck their hand in my pocket, I would DEFINITELY notice.
Damián Dell'Amico 5 years ago
One thing about the street flower vendors: I've read newspaper reports, and watched tv news reports, on these 3rd world men who get up at 3 or 4 am to WALK to the mega markets in the outskirts of Paris / Rome / London / you name it, to buy flowers at, say, €1.00 each, which they will try to sell for, say, €2.00 or €3.00. It's not a scam, it's a proper, legitimate street job, and those men went and go through a lot of daily deprivations to send their (usually large) families back home a humble monthly amount, which however goes great lenghts back in their countries. I really don't mind at all paying 3 or 4 times the price. Sometimes I have bought the entire bouquet at twice the price, not to please my gf but to make that poor flower street vendor happy. I'm not rich, but sometimes I can afford it and I know my money will make that poor man and his family happy, or at least will help pay the bills.
Drawing Gamer 5 years ago
i read with one eye and when somone tryed the deaf thing and i was like what are you doing i also keep my wallet in a pouch in my pants so it looks like i reached in my butt no scam is worth that
Sarah Truex 5 years ago
The CD scam also happens in LA around heavy tourist areas like the walk of fame
Мышь из Нижний! 5 years ago
In 1970, my father went to Romania, and he was in a market, and a woman threw a real baby at him, he caught the baby but they stole his money, and he needed to contact the officers, and they helped get the baby home, but he did not get his money again.
John Leriel 5 years ago
Seems you have to prepare when traveling, to check before how authorities you may encounter, like policemen, borders security etc. identify themselves.
Yeah, you heard 5 years ago
Thanks BP for these great ideas on how I can make a bit of extra cash in tourist traps. I'm joking, but some people really will use this for ideas!
Andrew Wallace 5 years ago
Beware official looking people who try to intercept you at Indian train stations and ask you where you are going only to tell you that the train has been cancelled and to redirect you to one of their alternate expensive trips
Andrew Wallace 5 years ago
In Hanoi they point at your shoes to indicate something wrong. As soon as you stop they will have them off your feet to polish and stick new soles on and then demand extortionist payment
Haunting Spirit 5 years ago
The overly helpfull local doesn't work anymore because the language at an ATM changes to the language you speak in Europe.
David Kichi 5 years ago
Glad I can't travel after reading all these tourist scams. The scammers must be suffering without tourists to scam due to covid19.
Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
A piece of good advice: No matter where you are, traveling or not, a tourist or not, it is always a good idea to try to act as the locals do, especially if you happen to find yourself in an area that might not be especially safe. Concentrating on looking like "I f*****g live here, you bandit!" is just a version of "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
Monika Soffronow 5 years ago (edited)
What an incredible bunch of absolute garbage! Yes, there are scammers in the world. No matter where you go you should apply some common sense to what you are doing and who you are dealing with. Most people are NOT out to scam you! Anywhere!
Muriel Gillespie 5 years ago
Do your research before you go on holiday and use your common sense!!
Petra Schaap 5 years ago
Got lost in Stockholm once, walked in a tourist shop and bought a map for a few bucks. Outside I noticed that they carefully erased the word "free" in front of the word "map" so I went back inside because I was tired, hungry and in a bad mood. I asked my money back and the guy said he didnt know how to and this was not this shop and blablabla. I was in such a bad mood already and taking no b******t because it was the time of the month :-D Gave him the map back and picked out snacks and drinks for the same amount he charged me, and dared him to call the police. Wished him a nice day and walked out. Someone tried to give me change back from a 5 euro note while I have him 20 in Rome once. I was warned that they WOULD try that in tourist shops so I just went the Stockholm way. I politely told him I knew what he was doing and said I was gonna take 15 euro worth of stuff from his shop if he didnt give me my money back. He gave me my money back; along with a few curse words.
Petra Schaap 5 years ago
Had the bracelet thing too. But as soon as they start to approach me i start shouting NO NO GO AWAY. In paris it worked, in Milan they were f'king hard to get rid of. So many of them around. And a few were chatting and laughing with the police that were walking around there.
somnomania 5 years ago
what i got from this is that no one can really be trusted and by traveling anywhere you take your personal security into your own hands
Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
What is sorely missing from this is that many times, the scammers are the real victims! Yes, victims, of organized crime, of real criminals ruining their lives. They are often victims of trafficking and do not get to keep very much. The best way to stop this racket is called COMMON SENSE, not fear.
Load More Replies... Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
Yes, it is a good, well-made video with a sound message, but it is out of place and if you wanted to start a discussion or even wanted to say something, then say it!
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Bettina Jansen 5 years ago
Having lived in Paris for a decade, it was fun to recofnise some of those. :-) (and yes, my very first time in Paris as a tourist - 17 yrs old - I got pickpocketed after giving cash to a beggar; lesson learned)
mermaidgirl960 5 years ago
I would either accidentally dodge the baby out of fear or not catch it because of my terrible hand-eye-coordination. I can't even hold a real baby without it slipping because of the constant squirming. Also, I'm weak XD
Barry St. Denis 5 years ago
How about the "please sign my petition while my accomplice robs you" type.
Jo Ellen Washburn 5 years ago
I hate to admit this, but my husband and I fell for the "Chinatown is closed; my tuk tuk driver will take you somewhere else" thing in Bangkok once. Doh!
Steve Cruz 5 years ago
I was scammed in a bar by a FLIRT in Athens at a dance bar. I bought her a drink to be kind, but I'm gay and wasn't interested in hanging around. She was persistent and started asking for money or she would have her "friend" follow me. I walked onto the street-level patio and hoped police would walk by. They did and she tried to say I assaulted her. The officers told me that FLIRTS get tourists drunk, go back to their hotel room and rob them blind.
Lauren Baker 5 years ago
I also know that "overhelpful local" is fairly common in some areas of South Africa. When visiting there 2 summers ago my Dad's credit card was stolen by somebody pretending to help us. It became obviously pretty quickly that they were trying to steal the card because they said the machine had "sucked the card in" and said my Dad needed to enter his pin. Luckily that is the only one of these scams I have ever witnessed.
Hello it Smee 5 years ago
That bracelet scam at the top, is common in Las Vegas too. I have had several try that on me while there.
Jeremy 5 years ago
I remember over 20 years ago now when I arrived in London for my Contiki tour I and a couple of girls from the same tour group decided to go for a wander around the block of our hotel and some bloke walked up to us and claimed to have taken a photo of us together and requested our addresses to post the processed photo to. I told him no thanks as I felt like it was dodgy of him to take our photo without even asking us or having us pose together. Later during our tour we found out there were scammers doing just this thing to find out your address and then get associates to rob your house.
Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
Almost all people are really, really nice people, no matter where you go. Use common sense!
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Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
In 2019 there were 35.4 million tourist arrivals in hotels in Paris. There is moderate risk from crime in Paris, and minimal risk from crime in Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Rennes, Strasbourg, and Toulouse. ... Violent crime is relatively uncommon; however, street crime is a concern, most notably in areas frequented by tourists. The Reality: Statistically Speaking, Paris Remains Very Safe. Before traveling, if you feel insecure, look up local conditions and tips on for example TRIPSAVVY.COM. Here's this site's advice for visitors to Paris: https://www.tripsavvy.com/paris-safety-tips-1618784
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Bob Belcher 5 years ago
Was in Rome back in 2011. Outside the Colseum there were two men dressed as gladiators. They ran up to us and asked if we wanted to take pictures. I thought it was dumb but sure why not. They took several pictures of us using my phone of course. Then they demanded 40 Euros while his friend still had my phone.
Ivana Junas 5 years ago
Encountered the "Eager English Students" one at The Forbidden City, the "Friendship Bracelet" and the "Sprig of Rosemary" ones are also done in populated and touristy areas of SE England such as Canterbury and Maidstone.
Esca Sav 5 years ago (edited)
Three things I learned. 1) In NYC, if you are new with taking the bus back to NJ, a person will offer to help you. If you accept it, they will ask for money right after helping. If you use your credit card at the ticket machine, they will watch right behind you. Avoid at all costs. 2) In Istanbul, if you see a guy with a big exotic bird, he will place it on your shoulder regardless if you want him to or not. If you take a picture with it or even of it, he will demand money. 3) Vacations in hot climates with camels. If they offer to let you get on a camel, DO NOT. They will refuse to let you get down until you pay them. My prof told me about this one, but I don't know where he is from.
Esca Sav 5 years ago
OH! Also, if you drive over a bag of nails by accident on the rode in the U.S. (They usually throw it right under your car without noticing), there will be a "pick-up truck" that will "offer" to take you to the mechanic. News flash, the mechanic is the one who caused you to pop a tire.
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isabelle lester 5 years ago
The cheeky footballer in Spain is a good one too, pretending to be celebrate good kicks with hugs - whilst they rifle your pockets!
Eunice Probert 5 years ago
In conclusion, stay at home, don't go anywhere if even if you could.
*sigh*, The Yellow Teletubby 5 years ago
I hate little children, and babies terrify me, so if a woman yote her child/baby at me, I'd swat it across the country. And maybe, if I'm feeling like it, freaked out enough, or just want to freak out other people for the fun of it, I'd kick and stomp on the baby doll. Hehehehehe
Lillukka 5 years ago
Hilarious article considering no-one will be travelling this summer. I had the overly helpfull local in Florence. Screamed at him in Finnish to p**s of and happily atracted the gards at the railway station who kicked him out.
Petra Schaap 5 years ago
you know whats hilarious? People are already travelling. For work, for example. There might not be mass tourism this summer, but people will still be travelling.
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Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
Please do not feel like that. Behave with the same proper and normal caution you would wherever it is you call home. Common sense and not excessively flaunting your riches go a long way to enjoying traveling, that, and respecting other people. Most people are great, willing to help, and in no way out to get you.
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kennedy longworth 5 years ago
None of these are from Canada, which is where I go! When we go to Canada I see no creepy people like I do in America.
Caroline Driver 5 years ago (edited)
In Rome we had a guy come up to us, give my daughter a friendship bracelet and shoved a resin tortoise in my hands. Then he pitched at my partner to buy a cheap carved wooden statue. Thing is, the guy was black and my partner is...let's say colour biased, in the positive sense. He ended up giving the guy 50 Euro because he didnt' have anything smaller and said keep the change! Guy must've thought it was Christmas! I said nothing, not worth the embarresed agro I'd get from b/f
Alex Fierro 5 years ago
Once when I was at a restaurant in Europe with my family, a waiter offered us water and we, assuming it was free (as it usually is), said yes. At the end when the bill came, turns out we were charged a ridiculous amount for a jug of water.
Aleš Horvat 5 years ago
Barcelona is the capital of mobile phone theft in Europe. Thieves are all sorts of people, so you really need to be careful. A person might snatch a phone away from you on the street, while you eat on a terrace of a restaurant, at a bar or a club, on the metro, etc. I love the city, been visiting for 10 years now but this really is a problem there. I am extremely careful and aware of a theft possibility but they still managed to snatch two phones from me in those 10 years. I think a part of the problem is that the police is useless, or better said, they don't give a s**t. Stealing a phone is not a felony there, just an infraction, so the police don't really bother much. I was trying to report one theft and was said I would have to wait for 3 hours at the station before I can make a report, maybe I should try my luck in the next station. There, same story. As a result, the theft statistics for the city are lower as they really are.
Tiggy Darling 5 years ago
You can often win at the "three card trick" and other street betting games. Except you give them £10 of real money and they give you back £20 of fake stuff.
Andrew Hsu 5 years ago
Uncaught real babies will actually be saving it from the nightmare that is being raised by a criminal, as well as lessening the burden on society from more scammers in making. Lowlifes dedicate their lives to finding more ways than these listed to feeding off of others. They're also not limited to these locations. The moral is to be vigilant and inconspicuous as easy targets, deterring their line of work and making scam a more difficult way of life than ethical alternatives.
Icantdraw 5 years ago
So because they're endangering the baby, you're going help them by not catching it? Fat logic there
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Aunt Messy 5 years ago
My family is Rom. It IS an ethnicity, it IS a point of honor to part people from their money, and......in my family that was about three generations ago. They used to run unstamped liquor and silver through the mountains between France and Italy.
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Full Name 5 years ago
Most people who would read this article at any time wouldn't be travelling soon anyway.
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Giovanni 5 years ago
If you visit Italy avoid restaurants with exposed Italian flags, they know that tourists have no idea of what italian food tastes or looks like and will overcharge you for frozen food and/or fake italian food like spaghetti meatballs and fettuccine alfredo.
Martha Meyer 5 years ago
Spaghetti meatballs are an American thing. I'd be surprised if even a tourist trap had something like that on the menu.
Load More Replies... Nea 5 years ago
But some of them may be false. Everything they said about delhi is not true. People there dont even know what rosemary is... cant say about other places.
Load More Replies... JessG 5 years ago
They should also mention the "fix your car" scam that happens in the U.S. and happened to me. Some guys will notice a dent I. Your car and offer to fix it on the spot for cheap. Then they do a crappy job and demand a couple hundred bucks, and if you don't have it, demand to follow you to an ATM to get it. Yes, I was VERY young and VERY naive.
Rick 5 years ago
You should have drove to a police station (though of course it’s easy to say this reading a story back through adult experiences compared to being young and put on the spot).
Load More Replies... Lillukka 5 years ago (edited)
Am I a bad person, but if someone throuws anything, including a baby, at me I will swat it away as a reflect.
Weim Central 5 years ago
Nope - you're not a bad person. Dodging thrown objects is a completely justifiable instinct. I've had a bridal bouquet bounce off my chest. Nope!
Load More Replies... Treessimontrees 5 years ago
I was in Cairo in 2014 and a taxi ride of maybe 2.5 miles amounted to $50. It should have been more like $2-3. The driver got extremely aggressive and wouldn't let me out of his car. Had to fight my way out. Similar thing, in Marrakech - a simple market meal and the stall owner asked for something like $150, luckily a local guy helped me out and chastised the stall owner. I paid 55 cents.
Esca Sav 5 years ago
Istanbul Grand Bazaar, everything was significantly upped in prices because I spoke English. Was a little cheaper if I spoke Polish. Bottom price when my niece ripped them a new one in Turkish. It's crazy...
Load More Replies... Hans 5 years ago
Rationale of all: employ common sense, not only but partcularly when on holiday. The joke here is, though: which tourism this summer? All thse con artists are out of business at the moment, or they switched to the dspicable "knock the door of old people and tell them they need money for their COVID-sick relatives immediately" scam.
Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
You nailed it, Hans. Employ common sense. If anyone travels with the conviction and the fear that everybody is out to get you, well, then better stay home, don't go out at all! Live a thoroughly boring life doing nothing and you can die satisfied that you never fell for a single scam...
Load More Replies... Cathelijne van Weelden 5 years ago
I have done the photographer many times without running away with the camera or asking for money! (I live in Amsterdam) I dunno I was always very on guard when I started traveling, but I noticed there are waaaaaaay more people who genuinely want to help you then there are scammers..
Gipsy Kings fan 5 years ago
Anyone who travels should bookmark this article! Someone should make it into a handy printable PDF file to help travelers memorize these scams. The "dropped wallet" reminds me of something my grandfather told me. He was a conductor on the elevated trains in Chicago. There was a problem with pickpockets in the train stations, so the transit company put up signs, "Beware of pickpockets." The sign made the problem worse. Men who saw the sign would instinctively pat their the pocket where they kept their wallet, to make sure it was still there, thus showing the pickpockets exactly where to find the wallet! The transit company removed the signs.
BiEL Sampaio 5 years ago
As a brasilian raised in scams, robbery and violence I wont fall for most of them.
Load More Replies... Ana Arena 5 years ago
Im Spanish and the cassier one doesnt happen. And I feel personally attacked cause i used to work in Plaza Mayor de Madrid, near puerta del Sol and i ALWAYS offered my help: to avoid tourist traps, to take photos, to give directions or help with the metro tickets. You just have to be careful with pickpockets and the gipsies. Dont mess with those old ladies.
Cathelijne van Weelden 5 years ago
Yeah right?! So many people do want to help and have no bad intentions
Load More Replies... Icantdraw 5 years ago
I don't think that this article could've been made at a more inopportune time
Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
There is never a good time for nonsense. Common sense, now that rocks!
Load More Replies... Jill Pulcifer 5 years ago
The friendship bracelet one happened to me in Cancun back in the 90's. A child approached me and just grabbed my wrist and started to tie it on, then proceeded to demand money, when I turned him down he waved several more children over who all started to beg loudly.
Rick 5 years ago
I had something similar: a woman tied a bracelet around my wrist even though I told her no a few times. When she finished I undid it and tried to give it back to her but she wouldn’t take it. I placed it on the floor at her feet and walked off. She couldn’t accuse me of being a thief as people saw me do this and also the fact that I was no longer wearing a bracelet that she “sold” to me
Load More Replies... Martha Meyer 5 years ago
I think a lot of these can be avoided if you try to look as little like a tourist as possible. The scammers might jump on the obvious looking ones first.
Aunt Messy 5 years ago
Also....don't be stupid and use that tour bag they give you. That's nothing more than a big neon sign saying "sucker".
Load More Replies... Maria Chevtaeva 5 years ago (edited)
The most common tourist scam im Moscow is when guys in mascot costumes (the characters from Madagascar cartoon are super popular) offer to take a photo with you, seemingly for free and afterwards start asking for money or demand that you delete their photo. Most of the times they do that very aggressively and tourists get scared and just give them all the money they have on hand. NEVER take photos with them. They`ll try to hug or playfully dance with you, just walk the other direction when you see them. And the taxi one is also super popular. Taxi drivers can ask for 5000 rubles ($67 and that`s A LOT,) for a ride from one of the airports to the centre of the city, when the usual price is about 2000 rubles ($27) maximum.
Ray Heap 5 years ago
The Eurocash ATM machines that charge you a 18 Euro fee if you withdraw cash with a non local card. To be found in tourist traps all over Europe.
Andrea Anthony 5 years ago
I lived in Paris and witnessed the thrown baby scam there. I also witnessed a metro scam where one man will slip a small currency bill under a person's shoe and act like the person stepped on it and is trying to get their money back (while holding down the foot). while the [person is distracted, a second person pickpockets and then they both slip off the train as the metro doors close. when the victim realizes what happened, it's too late. I also fell victim to the taxi driver/suitcase scam in NYC when I was very young. learned that one the hard way.
Aunt Messy 5 years ago
Someone tried the ring toss scam with me. When I picked up the ring, she asked to look at it and I told her that I'd seen the guy who dropped it.....and ran off to "catch" him. The next day, I was on the same bridge and she pointed me out to her "husband"....who met my eye and laughed his a*s off.
Load More Replies... Daria B 5 years ago
Useful information, however, the dropped wallet one works only if it's designed similarly as yours. I know from experience (not scam, thankfully, just really came across genuinely lost wallets and never had the urge to check mine. Picked it up instead and handed it to the shop keeper, or whoever manages the place where I happened to find it.)
Lillukka 5 years ago
This is what I would do even if it looked like mine; pick it up and hand it in somewhere.
Load More Replies... mermaidgirl960 5 years ago
While this won't prevent pickpocketing, it might lower your chances of someone trying to steal your purse of your shoulder. Rather than have it hanging from your shoulder where it can easily fall off, you can have it diagonally and it will be harder to pull off as it has to go over your head to come off.
Full Name 5 years ago
Best thing I've seen is people sewing a zippered pocket on their undershirt's chest to keep their money. Then they wear a dark shirt over that and you can't tell. Zero% chance of getting pickpocketed. Then you keep your fake wallet with very little money in it to give in case you get mugged.
Mariana Tamayo 5 years ago
All of those and thousands more can happen here in Mexico. Almost all of my foreign friends that had come here have stories about scamming.
regi stra 5 years ago
Police man stolen us 50€ in Mexico (we have hidden all the other money, since he wanted 200€!!), cause we was "too fast" with our car (like 40Km/h, cause we were lost) turns out most of them stop rented car from tourist for scam them! Also all the taxy driver try to scam you, and EVERYWHERE you will go literally everybody will ask you for tips, even if they give you a really bad service.... but... despite this, it was one of my most beautifull holiday
Load More Replies... Tovah Roche 5 years ago
The taxi scam in Las Vegas is a bit of an exaggeration. I've lived there off and on throughout my life. I've worked in Vegas's hospitality industry. My family spent many years in the industry as well. Needless to say, I've heard all kinds of stories from tourist. But I've never heard about a taxi making off with bags. I'm sure it happens but I don't think it happens enough to consider it popular.
Nick 5 years ago
Cab drivers in Vegas are pretty legit. They might "long haul" you but outright theft is definitely out of the norm.
Load More Replies... Maya Baggins 5 years ago
From Barcelona: Never have I ever seen the cashier one, not done to me or seen it being done
Rick 5 years ago
You live in Barcelona or you’ve visited as a tourist? Because scams happen in my city too, but I have never seen them because I’m not a tourist and don’t hang around doing touristy things
Load More Replies... Dutch VanZandt 5 years ago
I went to Barcelona with a friend. Two Roma women tried to sell us a flower and all they wanted in return was a 'new' penny. We were artfully led away from each other- I told my scammer I had no pennies and showed her a handful of change, offering her a euro. She declined and kept nattering at me... My friend, however, opened her purse to show the woman she had no pennies. I finally managed to evade my assailant and made my way towards my friend- suddenly the two women scurried away. We only realised they'd stolen 300 Euros from her purse when we went to pay at a restaurant a little later. Ended up at a police station with a "United Nations" of victims who had all sorts stolen off them... the police were busy. We ended up logging a report and trying to identify the two women in a mugshot book with more than a hundred Roma women's photos. Needless to say, we couldn't ID anyone with certainty.
ADHORTATOR 5 years ago
The ring scam happened to me in Paris, 10 years ago...Place Vendôme where almost all the great jewellers have their shops...the guy tried to sell me the story that somebody must have lost this oversizend golden ring after buying it...
Aunt Messy 5 years ago
Someone tried that on me on the bridge by Musee D'Orsay.
Load More Replies... Rose the Cook 5 years ago
Beware of groups of child beggars in Cairo. While a couple harrass you, another will slit the bottom of your bag while yet another holds a plastic bag underneath to catch whatever falls out. To avoid this, shorten the shoulder strap of your bag so it sits under your arm and hold it firmly to your side with your arm.
Gogubaci 5 years ago
Unfortunately I recognise some of these as being performed by less savoury individuals who have the same passport as I do. I have witnessed the street game scam live performed on some poor sods while I was in Paris. Also I think it should be common sense to do extensive research about the destination when travelling, this is how you find out that you should stay away from drugs in SE Asia as punishments can go up to the death sentence, also that's how you find out Mongolians are the most welcoming and genuine people on the planet. Do your research, keep your eyes peeled, and never put all your eggs in one basket.
Ausrine Ciapaite 5 years ago
The rose and massage thing happened to me in Sicily too. Was very unpleasant and almost screwed up the day.
Christian Bradshaw 5 years ago
So, I've never been pick-pocketed, so I don't have a lot of room to talk, but, how do people not notice when they're being pick-pocketed? Maybe I just have tight pants, but if someone stuck their hand in my pocket, I would DEFINITELY notice.
Damián Dell'Amico 5 years ago
One thing about the street flower vendors: I've read newspaper reports, and watched tv news reports, on these 3rd world men who get up at 3 or 4 am to WALK to the mega markets in the outskirts of Paris / Rome / London / you name it, to buy flowers at, say, €1.00 each, which they will try to sell for, say, €2.00 or €3.00. It's not a scam, it's a proper, legitimate street job, and those men went and go through a lot of daily deprivations to send their (usually large) families back home a humble monthly amount, which however goes great lenghts back in their countries. I really don't mind at all paying 3 or 4 times the price. Sometimes I have bought the entire bouquet at twice the price, not to please my gf but to make that poor flower street vendor happy. I'm not rich, but sometimes I can afford it and I know my money will make that poor man and his family happy, or at least will help pay the bills.
Drawing Gamer 5 years ago
i read with one eye and when somone tryed the deaf thing and i was like what are you doing i also keep my wallet in a pouch in my pants so it looks like i reached in my butt no scam is worth that
Sarah Truex 5 years ago
The CD scam also happens in LA around heavy tourist areas like the walk of fame
Мышь из Нижний! 5 years ago
In 1970, my father went to Romania, and he was in a market, and a woman threw a real baby at him, he caught the baby but they stole his money, and he needed to contact the officers, and they helped get the baby home, but he did not get his money again.
John Leriel 5 years ago
Seems you have to prepare when traveling, to check before how authorities you may encounter, like policemen, borders security etc. identify themselves.
Yeah, you heard 5 years ago
Thanks BP for these great ideas on how I can make a bit of extra cash in tourist traps. I'm joking, but some people really will use this for ideas!
Andrew Wallace 5 years ago
Beware official looking people who try to intercept you at Indian train stations and ask you where you are going only to tell you that the train has been cancelled and to redirect you to one of their alternate expensive trips
Andrew Wallace 5 years ago
In Hanoi they point at your shoes to indicate something wrong. As soon as you stop they will have them off your feet to polish and stick new soles on and then demand extortionist payment
Haunting Spirit 5 years ago
The overly helpfull local doesn't work anymore because the language at an ATM changes to the language you speak in Europe.
David Kichi 5 years ago
Glad I can't travel after reading all these tourist scams. The scammers must be suffering without tourists to scam due to covid19.
Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
A piece of good advice: No matter where you are, traveling or not, a tourist or not, it is always a good idea to try to act as the locals do, especially if you happen to find yourself in an area that might not be especially safe. Concentrating on looking like "I f*****g live here, you bandit!" is just a version of "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
Monika Soffronow 5 years ago (edited)
What an incredible bunch of absolute garbage! Yes, there are scammers in the world. No matter where you go you should apply some common sense to what you are doing and who you are dealing with. Most people are NOT out to scam you! Anywhere!
Muriel Gillespie 5 years ago
Do your research before you go on holiday and use your common sense!!
Petra Schaap 5 years ago
Got lost in Stockholm once, walked in a tourist shop and bought a map for a few bucks. Outside I noticed that they carefully erased the word "free" in front of the word "map" so I went back inside because I was tired, hungry and in a bad mood. I asked my money back and the guy said he didnt know how to and this was not this shop and blablabla. I was in such a bad mood already and taking no b******t because it was the time of the month :-D Gave him the map back and picked out snacks and drinks for the same amount he charged me, and dared him to call the police. Wished him a nice day and walked out. Someone tried to give me change back from a 5 euro note while I have him 20 in Rome once. I was warned that they WOULD try that in tourist shops so I just went the Stockholm way. I politely told him I knew what he was doing and said I was gonna take 15 euro worth of stuff from his shop if he didnt give me my money back. He gave me my money back; along with a few curse words.
Petra Schaap 5 years ago
Had the bracelet thing too. But as soon as they start to approach me i start shouting NO NO GO AWAY. In paris it worked, in Milan they were f'king hard to get rid of. So many of them around. And a few were chatting and laughing with the police that were walking around there.
somnomania 5 years ago
what i got from this is that no one can really be trusted and by traveling anywhere you take your personal security into your own hands
Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
What is sorely missing from this is that many times, the scammers are the real victims! Yes, victims, of organized crime, of real criminals ruining their lives. They are often victims of trafficking and do not get to keep very much. The best way to stop this racket is called COMMON SENSE, not fear.
Load More Replies... Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
Yes, it is a good, well-made video with a sound message, but it is out of place and if you wanted to start a discussion or even wanted to say something, then say it!
Load More Replies... Bettina Jansen 5 years ago
Having lived in Paris for a decade, it was fun to recofnise some of those. :-) (and yes, my very first time in Paris as a tourist - 17 yrs old - I got pickpocketed after giving cash to a beggar; lesson learned)
mermaidgirl960 5 years ago
I would either accidentally dodge the baby out of fear or not catch it because of my terrible hand-eye-coordination. I can't even hold a real baby without it slipping because of the constant squirming. Also, I'm weak XD
Barry St. Denis 5 years ago
How about the "please sign my petition while my accomplice robs you" type.
Jo Ellen Washburn 5 years ago
I hate to admit this, but my husband and I fell for the "Chinatown is closed; my tuk tuk driver will take you somewhere else" thing in Bangkok once. Doh!
Steve Cruz 5 years ago
I was scammed in a bar by a FLIRT in Athens at a dance bar. I bought her a drink to be kind, but I'm gay and wasn't interested in hanging around. She was persistent and started asking for money or she would have her "friend" follow me. I walked onto the street-level patio and hoped police would walk by. They did and she tried to say I assaulted her. The officers told me that FLIRTS get tourists drunk, go back to their hotel room and rob them blind.
Lauren Baker 5 years ago
I also know that "overhelpful local" is fairly common in some areas of South Africa. When visiting there 2 summers ago my Dad's credit card was stolen by somebody pretending to help us. It became obviously pretty quickly that they were trying to steal the card because they said the machine had "sucked the card in" and said my Dad needed to enter his pin. Luckily that is the only one of these scams I have ever witnessed.
Hello it Smee 5 years ago
That bracelet scam at the top, is common in Las Vegas too. I have had several try that on me while there.
Jeremy 5 years ago
I remember over 20 years ago now when I arrived in London for my Contiki tour I and a couple of girls from the same tour group decided to go for a wander around the block of our hotel and some bloke walked up to us and claimed to have taken a photo of us together and requested our addresses to post the processed photo to. I told him no thanks as I felt like it was dodgy of him to take our photo without even asking us or having us pose together. Later during our tour we found out there were scammers doing just this thing to find out your address and then get associates to rob your house.
Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
Almost all people are really, really nice people, no matter where you go. Use common sense!
Load More Replies... Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
In 2019 there were 35.4 million tourist arrivals in hotels in Paris. There is moderate risk from crime in Paris, and minimal risk from crime in Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Rennes, Strasbourg, and Toulouse. ... Violent crime is relatively uncommon; however, street crime is a concern, most notably in areas frequented by tourists. The Reality: Statistically Speaking, Paris Remains Very Safe. Before traveling, if you feel insecure, look up local conditions and tips on for example TRIPSAVVY.COM. Here's this site's advice for visitors to Paris: https://www.tripsavvy.com/paris-safety-tips-1618784
Load More Replies... Bob Belcher 5 years ago
Was in Rome back in 2011. Outside the Colseum there were two men dressed as gladiators. They ran up to us and asked if we wanted to take pictures. I thought it was dumb but sure why not. They took several pictures of us using my phone of course. Then they demanded 40 Euros while his friend still had my phone.
Ivana Junas 5 years ago
Encountered the "Eager English Students" one at The Forbidden City, the "Friendship Bracelet" and the "Sprig of Rosemary" ones are also done in populated and touristy areas of SE England such as Canterbury and Maidstone.
Esca Sav 5 years ago (edited)
Three things I learned. 1) In NYC, if you are new with taking the bus back to NJ, a person will offer to help you. If you accept it, they will ask for money right after helping. If you use your credit card at the ticket machine, they will watch right behind you. Avoid at all costs. 2) In Istanbul, if you see a guy with a big exotic bird, he will place it on your shoulder regardless if you want him to or not. If you take a picture with it or even of it, he will demand money. 3) Vacations in hot climates with camels. If they offer to let you get on a camel, DO NOT. They will refuse to let you get down until you pay them. My prof told me about this one, but I don't know where he is from.
Esca Sav 5 years ago
OH! Also, if you drive over a bag of nails by accident on the rode in the U.S. (They usually throw it right under your car without noticing), there will be a "pick-up truck" that will "offer" to take you to the mechanic. News flash, the mechanic is the one who caused you to pop a tire.
Load More Replies... isabelle lester 5 years ago
The cheeky footballer in Spain is a good one too, pretending to be celebrate good kicks with hugs - whilst they rifle your pockets!
Eunice Probert 5 years ago
In conclusion, stay at home, don't go anywhere if even if you could.
*sigh*, The Yellow Teletubby 5 years ago
I hate little children, and babies terrify me, so if a woman yote her child/baby at me, I'd swat it across the country. And maybe, if I'm feeling like it, freaked out enough, or just want to freak out other people for the fun of it, I'd kick and stomp on the baby doll. Hehehehehe
Lillukka 5 years ago
Hilarious article considering no-one will be travelling this summer. I had the overly helpfull local in Florence. Screamed at him in Finnish to p**s of and happily atracted the gards at the railway station who kicked him out.
Petra Schaap 5 years ago
you know whats hilarious? People are already travelling. For work, for example. There might not be mass tourism this summer, but people will still be travelling.
Load More Replies... Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
Please do not feel like that. Behave with the same proper and normal caution you would wherever it is you call home. Common sense and not excessively flaunting your riches go a long way to enjoying traveling, that, and respecting other people. Most people are great, willing to help, and in no way out to get you.
Load More Replies... kennedy longworth 5 years ago
None of these are from Canada, which is where I go! When we go to Canada I see no creepy people like I do in America.
Caroline Driver 5 years ago (edited)
In Rome we had a guy come up to us, give my daughter a friendship bracelet and shoved a resin tortoise in my hands. Then he pitched at my partner to buy a cheap carved wooden statue. Thing is, the guy was black and my partner is...let's say colour biased, in the positive sense. He ended up giving the guy 50 Euro because he didnt' have anything smaller and said keep the change! Guy must've thought it was Christmas! I said nothing, not worth the embarresed agro I'd get from b/f
Alex Fierro 5 years ago
Once when I was at a restaurant in Europe with my family, a waiter offered us water and we, assuming it was free (as it usually is), said yes. At the end when the bill came, turns out we were charged a ridiculous amount for a jug of water.
Aleš Horvat 5 years ago
Barcelona is the capital of mobile phone theft in Europe. Thieves are all sorts of people, so you really need to be careful. A person might snatch a phone away from you on the street, while you eat on a terrace of a restaurant, at a bar or a club, on the metro, etc. I love the city, been visiting for 10 years now but this really is a problem there. I am extremely careful and aware of a theft possibility but they still managed to snatch two phones from me in those 10 years. I think a part of the problem is that the police is useless, or better said, they don't give a s**t. Stealing a phone is not a felony there, just an infraction, so the police don't really bother much. I was trying to report one theft and was said I would have to wait for 3 hours at the station before I can make a report, maybe I should try my luck in the next station. There, same story. As a result, the theft statistics for the city are lower as they really are.
Tiggy Darling 5 years ago
You can often win at the "three card trick" and other street betting games. Except you give them £10 of real money and they give you back £20 of fake stuff.
Andrew Hsu 5 years ago
Uncaught real babies will actually be saving it from the nightmare that is being raised by a criminal, as well as lessening the burden on society from more scammers in making. Lowlifes dedicate their lives to finding more ways than these listed to feeding off of others. They're also not limited to these locations. The moral is to be vigilant and inconspicuous as easy targets, deterring their line of work and making scam a more difficult way of life than ethical alternatives.
Icantdraw 5 years ago
So because they're endangering the baby, you're going help them by not catching it? Fat logic there
Load More Replies... Aunt Messy 5 years ago
My family is Rom. It IS an ethnicity, it IS a point of honor to part people from their money, and......in my family that was about three generations ago. They used to run unstamped liquor and silver through the mountains between France and Italy.
Load More Replies... Full Name 5 years ago
Most people who would read this article at any time wouldn't be travelling soon anyway.
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