How Tourists Are Scammed?
Tourists are a real catch for various scammers. If you travel often, you've probably already encountered some type of scam or seen others fall for it.
The Ring Scam
This is probably one of the most popular types of scams targeting tourists, especially in Paris. Most often, Roma people are involved, but a seemingly respectable lady or, as in the photo below, a girl with a child, can also pull off a similar trick. It's much harder to suspect a trick in this case.
So, what does it involve? You are walking down the street, someone approaches you, picks up a ring at your feet (actually just pretends to pick it up) and asks if you dropped it? Most people, naturally, will answer "no" and then the show begins. The person who picked up the ring examines it closely, even shows you the hallmark, and immediately offers to sell it to you. Or simply gives it as a gift, and then says that by custom you should give a little money for it, then good luck will accompany you, etc. Naive tourists think that for 20 euros they got an expensive gold ring, but in reality, it's just cheap costume jewelry worth a couple of euros (at best).
Friendship Bracelet
A popular way to scam tourists, very common in Paris and Rome. Guys approach you and put a bracelet on your hand, simultaneously saying that it's a gift for good luck, etc. But as soon as the knot is tied, they ask for money. The first thing a slightly bewildered tourist does is try to take it off, but it's not easy at all.
The dexterity and speed of tying this bracelet are simply amazing, so if you see something like this, hide your hands :) They can be very brazen.
Flowers for a Lady
The target of this scam is usually a young couple. A man with flowers approaches you and gives the lady one flower. But just a few meters later, he catches up with you and asks for money for it. Typically, in such a situation, a man is unlikely to take the flower away from his lady and return it to the scammer, so this is almost a guaranteed way to get a couple of euros from a tourist.
You might encounter the next scam not only abroad; various variations of it also exist in Russia.
Seller in Distress
Anything can be the product: a leather jacket, an expensive dinnerware set, etc. According to the script, the "seller" is in a difficult situation. His credit card has been blocked, he unexpectedly ran out of money, or it was stolen. Only the goods remain, which he offers to sell you cheaply. In reality, his goods are second-rate, and you will overpay for them by about double. Particularly artistic individuals play out the scheme brilliantly. First, they "accidentally" get acquainted with you; you suddenly find common interests. For example, upon learning you are from Russia, he might be delighted and declare that his wife or his brother's wife is also Russian. Before you know it, you'll have a new friend in 5-10 minutes. According to the script, immediately after meeting, he asks for some help, for example, to push his car or inflate tires, and as a thank you, he gives you his goods, absolutely free. But the show is just beginning! Then he returns to his car and discovers that his gas tank is almost empty, and his money has disappeared somewhere. Who to ask for help? Of course, the new friend who just received an expensive item as a thank you for a small favor. You give him some money; that is, it seems like the item was given to you as a gift, but in fact, you still paid for it, and as it turns out later, quite a bit.
New Acquaintance
This type of scam is specifically for men. You "accidentally" meet a pretty girl on the street. She might introduce herself as a local offering to show you around the city or a lost tourist asking for your help to find a place. The acquaintance scenario can be anything. After a brief conversation, she suggests continuing the acquaintance at a bar over something stronger than coffee. She chooses the bar, and only when you receive an exorbitant bill will you realize - you've been scammed.
If you meet someone on the street and that person immediately suggests having a drink at a bar - choose the bar yourself!
Help Homeless Animals
Petition collectors can now be found in almost any tourist spot. Someone approaches you and asks you to sign a petition in defense of... it doesn't matter what, it can be anything from hungry children in Africa to helping homeless animals. You sign, and then there can be two scenarios:
1. While they were explaining the petition, a pickpocket cleaned out your pockets.
2. You sign the paper, of course without reading it (at best it will be in English), and then it turns out that by signing, you agreed to donate a certain amount of money to the organization's fund. Scammers are quite brazen, and it will be quite difficult to get rid of them without paying.
"Oh, I accidentally stained you" or beware of pickpockets
Another popular type of fraud, exclusively carried out by pickpockets. Ketchup, coffee, or anything else is "accidentally" spilled on your clothes, and then they help you clean it. During this time, your pockets are thoroughly felt and emptied. In the most brazen cases, they stage a "hold the baby" scenario; a baby (actually a doll) is handed to you, or rather, thrown at you, and at this time accomplices take your phone and wallet from your pocket. Sometimes the scene is played out with an accomplice. One pretends to be a tourist and asks for help with a map, while the other takes your wallet. If there are two or three of them, it's quite difficult to keep track of each person's movements in the group. The most complex scenario is played out by elderly individuals. They "accidentally" fall in front of you; naturally, if your parents raised you well, you will approach to help the elderly person, and at this time, they very skillfully empty your pockets.
Remember that appearances can be very deceiving. A pickpocket is not always a beggar in dirty clothes. It can be a perfectly neatly dressed person or a disguised tourist with a camera around their neck and a guidebook in hand.
