Barcelona pickpockets - crackdown?
Jun 11th, 2012, 09:02 AM
#21
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I just got back from Lisbon and yes, pickpockets are there - maybe the same ones Suec1 mentioned who moved from Barcelona to Lisbon (just joking).
Anyway, it was 2 women (1 older and 1 kid) with dark hair and complexion, dressed with head coverings. They were walking around with maps in their hands to blend in with tourists. But, instead of looking at the sights, they were obviously looking for their target.
They must have been walking behind me and tried to open my purse. I felt a tug on it and at the same moment, 2 women sitting in an outdoor cafe yelled "no, no...", so I immediately realized what was happening. Plus, I rigged a latch to lock up my zipper so it was not possible to just open the bag easily anyway.
There is no consequences to these pickpockets. If they don't succeed, they just move on to another victim. No wonder they are so prevalent. Sad.
Anyway, it was 2 women (1 older and 1 kid) with dark hair and complexion, dressed with head coverings. They were walking around with maps in their hands to blend in with tourists. But, instead of looking at the sights, they were obviously looking for their target.
They must have been walking behind me and tried to open my purse. I felt a tug on it and at the same moment, 2 women sitting in an outdoor cafe yelled "no, no...", so I immediately realized what was happening. Plus, I rigged a latch to lock up my zipper so it was not possible to just open the bag easily anyway.
There is no consequences to these pickpockets. If they don't succeed, they just move on to another victim. No wonder they are so prevalent. Sad.
Jun 11th, 2012, 09:38 AM
#22
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mmyk - interesting about the Lisbon map ladies - that is what the trio that "bumped" into us was doing too - on a corner near a big metro exit with map in hand. They were a trio of ladies, no headscarves, one had a very hip hat. My daughter felt them bump her and whirled around, as we watched them move along the street we could tell what they were really looking for was not on the map!
Jun 11th, 2012, 10:36 AM
#23
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I learnt long ago from a friend to carry my backpack in front of me when in the metro.
Another cautious thing to do is to separate everything. Which is why I like the scottevest so much. It has so many pockets. Passport in one pocket. Some cash in another pocket. More cash in a different pocket. Coins in another pocket. Opera glasses in a hideaway pocket. Camera in an inside pocket. Separate the credit cards too.
Not all the gypsies (Roma) are dark. I met a blonde one with a good-looking, tall boyfriend on the train to Croatia - boy, were they slick! Fooled me for hours - problem was they couldn't figure out which pocket I kept my "wallet", but, lesson learnt - never let down your guard and never assume that non-dark people are not gypsies. They want to know where you keep your cash and passports. That's what most of the tricks are about, because, once they know, it takes just a nanosecond for them to make the steal.
Another cautious thing to do is to separate everything. Which is why I like the scottevest so much. It has so many pockets. Passport in one pocket. Some cash in another pocket. More cash in a different pocket. Coins in another pocket. Opera glasses in a hideaway pocket. Camera in an inside pocket. Separate the credit cards too.
Not all the gypsies (Roma) are dark. I met a blonde one with a good-looking, tall boyfriend on the train to Croatia - boy, were they slick! Fooled me for hours - problem was they couldn't figure out which pocket I kept my "wallet", but, lesson learnt - never let down your guard and never assume that non-dark people are not gypsies. They want to know where you keep your cash and passports. That's what most of the tricks are about, because, once they know, it takes just a nanosecond for them to make the steal.
Jun 11th, 2012, 11:31 AM
#24
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easytraveler, great vest! I have a purse that I can never find anything in. I always say, "it has too many pockets!" Maybe not 
When my husband and I went to Barcleona a man in a store tried to scam my husband. I had been in the store and left and the man behind the counter told him that I had taken something without paying for it. I hadn't wandered far when my husband told me.
That poor man, I came back for a discussion with him about the accusation. Explained to anyone in the store what he did and cleared out the store. pffft!
Be aware and have a dontmesswithme attitude.
When my husband and I went to Barcleona a man in a store tried to scam my husband. I had been in the store and left and the man behind the counter told him that I had taken something without paying for it. I hadn't wandered far when my husband told me.
That poor man, I came back for a discussion with him about the accusation. Explained to anyone in the store what he did and cleared out the store. pffft!
Be aware and have a dontmesswithme attitude.
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