Askar

NeoPatrick, this story is supposed to have happened in Budapest, not Paris.

cigalechanta

No matter where it happened, older doesn't make you an easier target. I think younger untraveled persons are more likely targets as my husband and friends were in the army.

NeoPatrick

Sorry, I had gone back to the original post. I take it back. LindaL's boss didn't run into the dumbest con man in Paris, then. He ran into the dumbest con man in Budapest.

Travelnut

We were lazing on Champ de Mars recently, and noticed several women (distinct style of dress but I won't use the 'word'). The first one came up to us, 'do you speak English?' - I shook my head. The 2nd one came up a few minutes later, 'do you speak English?' - already weary of it I said "NO, I do NOT speak English." She smirked at me but moved on to the next group. As the 3rd one came up, I just extended my arm pointing 'keep going" and she did. They were begging for money, easily observed by the exchanges with others. The park police walk through fairly often and tell them to move on, but it isn't very effective.

twoflower

We were strolling through Athens when a big, burly unshaven scruff loomed up alongside me and asked if I wanted to buy some Greek drachmas. I didn't, having just bought some a short time earlier. But he looked like he could turn nasty if I just said no, and I wasn't about to agree and wave any real money in front of him (I had some US $'s), so I put on a delighted expression, pulled out my book of travellers' cheques, and said "Yeah, great, can you change one of these?" He swore at me and disappeared into the crowd.

leather1026

I agree with Patrick, also you said your chairman was forgetful.

Bloom

Whether or not the scam fromMA posted about is 'new', I appreciate it being newly mentioned for those who haven't heard of it. This site gets new people every day, and no doubt a number of them aren't the seasoned travelers others are.

Gina_07

fromMA:

I, personally, did not know about the ring scam that you posted. Bloom is right, I should thank you for bringing this to my attention.

Bloom

Whether or not the scam posted by fromMA would be considered 'new' by some, they did well to mention it for those who haven't heard of it.

This site likely sees new people every day, and some of them may not be the seasoned travelers others are.

dawnnoelm

Thank you for posting this - as well as the person who posted the link to Rick Steve's. We are traveling to Europe for the first time this summer with our two daughters (10 and 13) and frankly I am overly "nice" and would be the village idiot to stop and try to help the person lost, the "child" blah, blah..so it was a good read for me.

travginny

While walking with my husband around Place Vendôme in Paris, I was approached by a 60ish woman, who bent down, picked up a large "gold" ring and insisted -- really insisted -- on giving it to me, saying that she didn't have a husband to give it to.

When I refused and, like her, insisted that she keep it, she came closer and kissed me on the cheek saying that the ring would bring me luck. She then of course asked for money. We quickly walked away

This all happened very fast. Lesson learned: Don't stop, just walk away.

kerouac

Now that Romania is a member of the EU, the Rom beggars and scammers can stay in Paris as long as they want. Those of you who have not been to Paris for awhile may be in for a surprise during your next trip.

A friend of mine lives across from a rather large Rom colony in public housing, and she says they are fun to watch. The girls come back from 'work' wearing their long dresses and clashing scarves, looking like something out of 'Borat' and an hour later when they are ready to party, they come out of the building in tight jeans and sophisticated hairstyles, almost completely unrecognizable.

bigtyke

For a great look a scams, including the 'Pidgeon Drop', see the movie 'The Flim Flam Man' with George C Scott. One of my favorite movies.

I believe the 'Pidgeon Drop' is also shown at the start of 'The Sting'

Carrybean

The reason these scams are still around is because tons of people didn't know about them, as Bloom suggested so they're new to anyone who is on their first trip to Europe.

No need to prove how well-travelled & worldly-wise any of us are because some have heard of them. It's a good warning so thanks for posting it, fromMA.

travginny

I believe it was a Rom woman who approached me with the "gold" ring at Place Vendôme.

I go to Paris every year and like to think I'm a seasoned traveler. I'm always cautious but in this case, it took me a little while before I realized it was a scam.

somedayparis

Do these "SCAMS" happen all over Paris or just in the areas with a lot of tourists? Do the Paris police have foot patrols around those areas or are you on your own to fend for yourself from pickpockets and scammers?

kerouac

Unfortunately, somebody 'finding' a ring on the street is not a crime.

Gina_07

Yes, but, fortunately, ignoring the person who found the ring is not a crime either.

fnarf999

The Romani people are not necessarily or even likely to be from Romania. There is no connection at all between the two words.

kerouac

I am sure that this is quite true, but we are talking about Paris, where 90% of the current Rom beggars are Romanian. Ten years ago, many of them would say they were from Bosnia, because it would elicit more sympathy. That doesn't work anymore.