Tourists Scams in Europe

I'm sure you have heard of travel stories from friends or read online where they were the target of pickpockets while travelling around Europe. Yes, it's true.

Come to think of it, it's sad. I mean, the city is so beautiful with historical buildings, palaces, amazing museums, rich in history and culture, and yet your holiday trip may be spoilt by this.

There are many tactics used by the pickpockets and I want to tell you some of the most common ones you'll encounter in major tourist attractions.

1. Gypsy Women
You will see an old lady (usually in headscarf to cover her hair) with clothes that shout "I'm not local"  approaching your, and you can distinguish them from their skin colour which is darker than the European people. She will tell you that she came from another country and that she has no money. Sometimes, they will carry a baby or a small kid on a stroller to gain your pity to donate your euro to her. Just walk away. Pretend you don't understand what she's talking about.

2. Throwing Baby
Another tactic used by these women are by throwing a baby (usually it's a doll) into your arms. You will be caught off-guard as you'll try to catch the baby. As you do that, her accomplice will poke around your bag and pockets.

3. Petition Sign
A group of youngsters or kids will approach you and ask you to sign a petition Tudor some causes such as world peace, ecology environment protest, or simply to sign for a donation for orphanage or old folks homes. Some will act as if they are mute or deaf and ask you to read the board they show you. If you sign that thing, they will demand payment from you and if you walk away, they will follow you. While you're reading the petition note, the accomplice will rummage through your bag and steal whatever they can get. I was a target when I was in Berlin. Two young boys approached me and ask me to read the petition and sign while the other boy try to unzip my bag from behind and put his hand inside. I quickly turn around and swing my bag to my front and walk away but they followed me until I quickly ran into a random hotel. They did not dare to enter the hotel.  DO NOT sign or read anything. Just walk away. If they follow you, quickly enter a restaurant, cafe, hotel.

3. Friendship Bracelet
Someone will try to give you a wrist bracelet (made of strings) and he/she will say it's free, a friendship bracelet. He will then tie it around your wrist and after that, he will ask you to pay. DO NOT take or let anyone tie anything on your wrist or hand. They will demand a small donation. Just walk away.

4. Rose
Same thing with the friendship bracelet, they will try to give you a stall of rose saying it's free, or it's to welcome tourists to the city. DO NOT TAKE the rose or you will have to pay. I was approached by a girl offering me a rose in Vienna and when I didn't want to take it, she threw the rose into my hands. I quickly walked away letting the rose fell to the ground.

5. Mustard Spill
Someone will spill mustard or any other liquid onto your shirt (on your shoulder area) and pretend to help you clean and wipe it off. When you put down your bag on the ground, his accomplice will snatch your bag and run away.

6. Magic Show
Someone will pretend to be a street artist by performing either playing a musical instrument or a magic show. While you're focusing on the act, the accomplice will stand behind or near you and try to cut through your bag with a knife and put his hand inside to take things.

7. Helpful People
If you're buying train/metro ticket at the ticket machine, someone will approach you trying to be helpful by saying they will help you to buy the ticket since you can't read German or French on the machine. The accomplice will be behind trying to cut your bag or unzip it. Don't lose your focus. Be alert of your surroundings.

8. Pickpockets at train station
They will wait until you board the train or step out of the train. The moment you want to walk into the train, he will snatch your bag or wallet from your pockets and the door is closed. You're inside the train and he's outside. You can't do anything. On the contrary, when you want to step out from the train, he will do the same thing but this time, you're outside and he's inside with the train going fast to the next stop. Always be careful when you step in or out of the train, subway, metro.

9. Taking Photos for you
Someone will try to be nice and helpful by asking if you want him to take a photo for you. He will then run off with your camera or phone.

10. Phony Police
They will pretend to be police officers demanding to check your wallet for fake money that has been circulating lately. They will return your wallet but take away your money.

So, what can you do?

1. Always be alert about everyone around you.
2. Carry your bag in front of you.
3. Put your hands inside your pockets when you're standing still.
4. Buy a money belt and put your passport, cash inside.
5. Do not put too many cash inside your wallet.
6. Just walk away whenever someone approaches you.
7. Don't trust anyone especially if they're being too helpful.
8. DO NOT wear any jewellery when you're on the street.
9. Try to avoid walking alone on the street at night.
10. Research about which area should be avoided especially if you're alone wandering off unknown places.