Latest Scams in Europe 2018 please

[Pushka]

Does replying no in German work better than in French? Is it just because they can spot an Aussies French better than German?

For some reason they only ask if you speak English. Maybe they dont understand German, or think that Germans are cranky old b'ers!

NEVER touch your pockets with valuables in a crowd. That immediately tells the spotters which pocket to steal from.



Considering the germans killed 5 million Gypsies... I find a stern NEIN to be very effective. Throw in a Swinerhund for the difficult case.

Ah, thats interesting. Well, tragic too of course, Good to know I'm not the only one who uses this tactic though. Nein sure does the trick.

 

[daft009]

my first time in europe I fell for that ball under the cup game thing, luckily it was only 10 euros.. I still beat myself over it, thinking how young & stupid I was

in other news, spotted the fake monks scamming people/tourists for money around Darling Harbour

 

[drron]

I had the ring scam tried on me a couple of years ago in Paris while walking near the Seine. I let the woman go through her spiel and then told her that as it was a lost ring we had better take it to the police and then started asking passers by had they seen a gendarme anywhere nearby. She left pretty quickly.

When it was tried on us there was a gendarme on the other side of the street.The suggestion we go over and show him certainly ended the conversation.
As to pick pockets no one was better than the old Bugis street guys in Singapore.Put some folded up brochures in my back pocket which disappeared without me feeling a thing.The fellows on Las Ramblas in Barcelona by comparison were real amateurs.
The most professional ring of pickpockets that I have experienced were at the Pisac markets in Peru.Watching the local dancing and 2 young fellows looking about 4 pushed past me going either side obvious that they felt my back pockets in retrospect.About 5 minutes later they left pushing up against my side pockets.Then a young girl looking about 6 pushed past and I felt her hand go into the pocket I have my wallet in.I had a feeling something was going to happen so I had hold of her hand before she even got close to my wallet.I didn't have the heart to take her to the nearby police,nor did I trust the police,so just waved my finger at her and the 3 disappeared.

 

[The man with no name]

When it was tried on us there was a gendarme on the other side of the street.The suggestion we go over and show him certainly ended the conversation.
As to pick pockets no one was better than the old Bugis street guys in Singapore.Put some folded up brochures in my back pocket which disappeared without me feeling a thing.The fellows on Las Ramblas in Barcelona by comparison were real amateurs.
The most professional ring of pickpockets that I have experienced were at the Pisac markets in Peru.Watching the local dancing and 2 young fellows looking about 4 pushed past me going either side obvious that they felt my back pockets in retrospect.About 5 minutes later they left pushing up against my side pockets.Then a young girl looking about 6 pushed past and I felt her hand go into the pocket I have my wallet in.I had a feeling something was going to happen so I had hold of her hand before she even got close to my wallet.I didn't have the heart to take her to the nearby police,nor did I trust the police,so just waved my finger at her and the 3 disappeared.

So I know this is slightly off topic but your mention of Pisac brought back memories of the best carrot cake I've ever had. It was at Ulrike's in Pisac. The cake was so incredible I remember it to the day. I'd go back to the Sacred Valley just for more cake.

 

[opusman]

Had a great lunch at Ulrike's - no cake though

 

[Hermes]

I simply say "Anatjari tjanpitjinpa dju dju nama yallala" (a Pintupi name and an Alawa greeting). That throws 'em.

 

[flybynight]

Seems like a lot of travellers are too trusting and naive. Over many years, and undoubtedly through the evolution of many scams, I've never been ripped off. I have consistently said to anyone approaching me in a loud and aggressive sounding tone "go away" which usually works. On occassions the would be scammer has told me I'm rude and I just say that if they don't understand it means "f... off". I don't care if I offend any of these people because it's dog eat dog. In the case of dropped brushes, rings or anything else I go out of my way to kick the item into the traffic.
I'm more afraid of gypsy gangs who use mobile phones to surround unsuspecting travellers late at night and then rob them. I always make sure I tag along with other travellers until in a safer place.
These scammers and others deserve no consideration so travellers need to toughen up and treat them for what they are - petty criminals.

 

[Pushka]

Seems like a lot of travellers are too trusting and naive. Over many years, and undoubtedly through the evolution of many scams, I've never been ripped off. I have consistently said to anyone approaching me in a loud and aggressive sounding tone "go away" which usually works. On occassions the would be scammer has told me I'm rude and I just say that if they don't understand it means "f... off". I don't care if I offend any of these people because it's dog eat dog. In the case of dropped brushes, rings or anything else I go out of my way to kick the item into the traffic.
I'm more afraid of gypsy gangs who use mobile phones to surround unsuspecting travellers late at night and then rob them. I always make sure I tag along with other travellers until in a safer place.
These scammers and others deserve no consideration so travellers need to toughen up and treat them for what they are - petty criminals.

That’s probably best but most people just don’t want to offend others. We are blissfully free of tourist scams in Australia - we have other stuff happening with back packers but not the mum and dad tourist.

 

[flybynight]

A few years ago I acquired a tazer which was disguised as a mobile phone. I did a half second burst once when approached by a scammer which really sent him running! Subsequently got rid of it when I found out they were illegal in many countries.

 

[Straubs]

A relative was recently in Rome - her third trip and this time on a 4-week stay in an apartment. She got in the lift at the Termini along with some others, then a family got in last and stood in front of her. They were having a loud dispute in Italian. From behind, an arm kept coming past my relative to re-hit the button for level 2. After this she found her wallet gone from the bottom of her bag. In retrospect, she realised they would have been all part of the same group. She wasn't too phased. Had most of her cash in a safe at the apartment and her passport also back at home.

 

[Pushka]

A few years ago I acquired a tazer which was disguised as a mobile phone. I did a half second burst once when approached by a scammer which really sent him running! Subsequently got rid of it when I found out they were illegal in many countries.

Ah yeah. Thank goodness.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Do we need a med cert/doc referral for a wooden or metal walking stick?

 

[Pushka]

Do we need a med cert/doc referral for a wooden or metal walking stick?

Wrong thread poochie.

 

[Denali]

Wrong thread poochie.

Maybe to warn off scammers?

 

[Pushka]

Maybe to warn off scammers?

Threatening anyone these days is not going to end well.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Sorry, but (edit) Denali *(not Pushka, sorry about that)* got my thought bubble.
Yes, I know, its off topic, but if scammers/spammers (if they want to harvest your email address by making you fill in a useless survey), can use tricks, ...
Why can't we use a walking stick? No one needs to know we are not really disabled, granted, its not the brightest sparky idea, but think about the person sitting on the ground, begging in a European city, apparently without legs (ala the China Youtube videos), and then if the local police do a raid, the person suddenly gets up, does an act and a runner.
Maybe get a walking stick after leaving Aust, and pretend you need a slight walking aid.
***Yes, its not the politically correct thing to do.***
Best of luck for the trip, OP, hopefully you don't get anything happen to you.
Remember, your passport and your cash are important, but also your email address.

 

[Pushka]

I’d prefer a wild swing with my handbag. If I had a walking stick I’d probably trip myself up, trip someone else up, forget to take it, leave it somewhere.....

 

[Denali]

Swinging with your handbag would be the last thing.

Walking or hiking stick to assist with the cobble stones ect could come in handy from time to time

Personally I find my size and voice is reason enough they mostly leave me alone, just dont make eye contact. The one time I did tell one to F off it was a miracle because moments before she was deaf and unable to speak but she was suddenly cured and responded in kind.

There is a part of me that feels bad for the cycle they are stuck in. Their "normal" is broken and they condemn their children to a similar fate. Personally I would think working 38hrs at Woolies or Bunnings would be an easier way to make a living.

 

[Pushka]

Swinging with your handbag would be the last thing.

Walking or hiking stick to assist with the cobble stones ect could come in handy from time to time

Personally I find my size and voice is reason enough they mostly leave me alone, just dont make eye contact. The one time I did tell one to F off it was a miracle because moments before she was deaf and unable to speak but she was suddenly cured and responded in kind.

There is a part of me that feels bad for the cycle they are stuck in. Their reality of "normal" is broken and they condemn their children to a similar fate. Personally I would think working 38hrs at Woolies or Bunnings would be an easier way to make a living.

I don’t carry money in it. It has water and general cough like that.

 

[drron]

A house brick in the bag might be a good idea.