- The Friendship Bracelet
A person will approach with and attempt to put a friendship bracelet on you, but will ask for a very high amount of money and/or have accomplices pickpocket you.
- A Rose For Your Girlfriend
A person will approach you while you are with your girlfriend, and offer her a rose. He will ask for a very high price for it, making you feel bad if you refuse!
- The Thrown Baby
A woman will throw her baby into your arms. Luckily, it's almost always fake but while you are in shock she will pickpocket you. This scam is most common in Rome.
- The Shoe Shiner
A man will drop his shoe brush right in front of you, and when you pick it up he will shine your shoes seemingly as a kind gesture. However, he will demand money after the fact.
- The Photographer
When you are taking photos of each other as a couple, a friendly-looking local will come over and will most likely offer to take a picture of you together. However, he will probably ask for a little bit of money at best, or run off with your phone or camera at worst.
- The Expensive Taxi Driver
Due to you being a tourist and not knowing the location very well, some taxi drivers will take a much longer way in order to increase the amount of money they get. Some even have meters that are changed to increase at a much faster rate.
- Train Pickpockets
While you are riding on a train, especially in Europe, people are often sitting in close proximity to each other. This allows for pickpockets to go through your bags or pockets.
- The Fake Policemen
Some policemen that look very official will approach you and tell you that fake money has recently been circulating in the area, and will ask to see your wallet. They will return it with money missing!
- The Beggar
A beggar, usually an old or pregnant woman, will try to make you give her some loose change. However, a pickpocket may be watching where you keep your wallet.
- The Broken Camera
Someone will ask you to take a picture, but the camera most likely won't work. When you try to give it back to them, they will drop the camera! They will most likely ask you money for repairs, or pickpocket you during all of the commotion.
Good luck everyone, and stay safe on your travels!
Don't forget about those folks who pretend to have family crisis and needs money for survive!
good job !
Thank you!
Thanks for all these tips. I saw the first one live lol. A young teenager seemed like he was playing with a guy in front of me wrapping the band around his hand, but his girlfriend hurried to grab him away lol. She said that it was a scam and the teenager was speechless and went away so calmly.
That was such a coincidence!