I will be going on a trip to Rome Turkey and Greece next year- i have traveled abroad before and never had a problem with thieft or violence and i went to some of the cities I've read are high on the list example: Glasgow- I had a wonderful time and never worried about my purse slung around my body or my body for that fact....
But I've been reading and reading posts on how not to get robbed and what to wear or not wear etc. and now i'm getting paraniod- and what I'd really want to know is HOW were you pickpocketed or robbed what exactly happed if you know- i learn better by example- i want to know what i should be looking out for what kind of activity that these individuals actually ingage in.
I don't want to bring up any really bad memories for anyone but like I said i do learn better by example.

Thank you!

Wish I could help you, but I've made more than 90 trips to Europe and never been robbed. Maybe that will make you feel better - I hope so. I think if you're just confident-looking and aren't waving money around you'll be fine.

Others will beg to differ. And yes, I did witness a few pickpocketings in Spain on several trips there, but I think Spain has an unusual problem in that regard

Ther are a lot of threads on this already. I'll be lazy, and ask you or somebody else to locate some of them.

I was pickpocketed in 2001, at the ticket booth of the Colosseum in Rome. It was so slick, I did not really know that it happened. Someone came up to me and said that they though they had seen me get hit, and sure enough I was. What did I do wrong? I had cash in a tyvek-paper envelope... the kind you might get from your bank or an ATM - - like Teflon, effectively, as far as friction against the lining of my pocket. And I got the "whole wad of it" out, in plain public view (I think it was about 200,000 lire or something like that - - i.e., about 100 dollars), counting out what we needed to pay for the tickets. Then casually stuck what we weren't spending back in the envelope, into my front pants pocket (perhaps not all the way down into my pocket).

A money belt is an obvious protection against something like this.

Hope my retelling of the experience helps you or someone.

I also felt fingers in my pocket on the Rome subway in 1998 - - the pickpocket must not have been as good... didn't get anything. I reflexively yelled "No!" in a loud voice. The creepy thing was that I could not identify who might have done it - - and we were not particularly close to a subway stop - - so we rode together, unbeknownst to me who "he" was for another one or two minutes, I suppose!

Best wishes,

Rex

Had just arrived in Venice, and wanted to show my young daughter how to use an ATM, next to Hotel Bauer. After we received our cash, a man approached us, and asked to see the cash I had just withdrawn. I said NO, then he showed me an undercover Police Badge. I again said NO, and he said that he thought that I had stolen the $, and wanted to see my passport. I tried to leave, but he grabbed me, showed me another piece of ID, and said he was undercover, investigating robberies in Venice. I showed him a photocopy of my passport, and that of my daughter to get him off my back, he then grabbed it from my hand, and asked to see the cash I had withdrawn, to check serial numbers. Now I started to get irritated, I asked for my passport back, and he then called his son and wife over, and tried to hand it over to them. Now I grabbed him, and didn't let go, and dragged him to the L/V store next door, and yelled for my 2 sons. They came out running, and now for the next 15 minutes we were all holding on to each other, and starting to threaten eachother. (I still at this time was not sure if he really was a police officer). This all happened in front of approx 20 people sitting at a sidewalk cafe in front of us. The Americans were the most sympathetic, and I asked one to call the Gendarmarie. The Cafe owner asked that we please move the scuffle to another area, as we were driving away her business.
Well we finally wrestled the cop to a chair, and threatened him with bodily harm if he didn't hand over the passport copies. My other son was holding back his son, who was trying to get the paperwork from his dad, and run away.
Finally the Gendarmarie showed up, 8 officers with machine guns (My daughter says they all were absolutely handsome and young). They held him down, asked for his ID, he still claimed that he was an undercover French PoliceOfficer, and that he had dropped his money on the ground, and that I had picked it up from the ground. He still would not release the passports to the Italien Police, stating that he had to report it to his superiors in Paris.
After 20 minutes more, the Gendarmarie stated that they didn't want to arrest him, because they even couldn't determine if his ID was real or not, and as most Italiens, they probably didn't want to get involved in a bunch of paperwork. They finally got my passport copies from him, scolded him, and sent him on his way. They got a report from me, and then sent us on our way. I offered to buy them a drink, but all refused.
Anyway, my family was shaking, and all I could think about, was what a story i would have to tell the friends back home.
Needless to say , last year went I returned, I walked really fast past that ATM.
I think his scam was to get $ as well as a passport to do something nefarious with. About 8 months later I got a traffic ticket from Italy, for a car I supposedly rented there and parked illegally, in Nov. when I was back home. The car rental agreement had ALL my correct info. Evidently he memorized the info somehow ????
Anyway what I am getting at is that this just made me a bit more cautious, but in NO WAY kept me from travelling and/or doing what I normally do.
Sorry about the length, but once I get started on this story ...

A couple of young gypsy girls pickpocketed my brother in law on the metro in Rome (Vatican station). Classic move, one bumped him while the other picked him. He'll never travel without a money belt around his neck or waist again. I think that would be your best protection. We've been to Rome a few times and never had a problem but I'm hyperaware and don't keep anything valuable in my pockets - or purse. My husband carries everything in a money belt that he carries around his waist under his shirt.

I almost got pickpocketed walking across the street in Paris. Young girl walked by. Felt a slight nudge on my purse so I pulled it closer. Guess she wasn't so good. I do plan on leaving the designer purses at home as well as expensive jewelry as I always do. I don't any reason to be picked out as a target.

Getting on a Circumvesuviana train in the Naples train station, my husband found his way blocked by a large crowd of well dressed men. He had to push his way to get on the train, then they all disappeared as the doors closed and his wallet was gone from his front pocket.

We encountered a similar technique in Rome when our way onto the metro was blocked by a bunch of young teenage girls, but they were easier to push out of the way. As I went past, I did feel one of them run a hand along my purse.

Moral is, if your way is blocked getting onto a train, it is a setup. Don't get on, or go to a different door.

Many, many moons ago, this happened to my then-boyfriend.

We were in Barcelona at the train station, it was exceptionally crowded. He kept his wallet in his hip pocket.

I asked him to put it somewhere safer. He refused, saying it was hot and there was nowhere else to put it.

We got onto the train and his wallet was gone, with all his ID, money, everything. We tore the first class compartment apart. Nothing. He swore it must have fallen somewhere. We asked the conductor to check for us. Nothing.

Like the others have said, don't show wallets. Dress inconspicuously. Leave your jewelry at home. Don't flash a lot of money around. If you must keep things in pockets, wear pants/skirts with zippered pockets.

When I travel, I always take things that I won't miss if they were gone. All other precious things passport, credit cards (except for one), money - go into a money belt that's worn under clothing. I keep available only enough money for that day plus one credit card for use on any one day.

Intex: What a horrible experience!

I got pickpocketed for the first time last month in Italy on my 5th trip to Europe. We were on a jam packed (like a Tokyo subway!) 5 minute train ride between Corniglia and Vernazza. It was my own fault for letting my guard down in the CT and it seemed ironic to me as I had just been in Rome, Naples, and Florence without incident. (In Naples we were literally fending off gypsies with babies, geesh it was annoying.)

Somebody lifted my wallet from my daypack when we were on the Paris subway. There was a rail strike and the subway was sympathizing so the trains were infrequent. We were so sardine packed I couldn't safeguard myself like usual.

They only got my daily money and one ATM card, but it was still a PIA to deal with.

When we were in Florence at a laundromat, three young men came in claiming they were "checking the machines." I had already started my laundry and was sitting with my backpack on my lap. When my son returned from the bakery across the street (varsity football player) they promptly left. An American woman arrived and I helped her figure out the token system. She left her purse sitting on the bench, and I warned her about the men. Sure enough, after we left, they came back and nabbed her purse. We saw her later in Rome and she told us about it and said it's a frequent scam in the laundromat there.

In the more than 40 years that I've been travelling, I've been to quite a few countries, not all of them highly civilized. I've been robbed twice -- both times in the USA, in my hometown of San Francisco. Both times were car break-ins; windows smashed, items in car stolen. And recently one of our cars was stolen from a parking lot in Oakland, California.

Personally, I feel less vulnerable when I'm travelling.

"i want to know what i should be looking out for what kind of activity that these individuals actually ingage in."

There are quite many variations of activities. When you read the above posts, what you find is that there are too many ways you will be distracted from "looking out for activities."

The lessons learned is that one should use passive protections, such as money belt (mentioned several times above) so that one is protected even in moments of distraction.

During my last trip to Barcelona, as I entered a metro station, a woman was in tears talking to a metro security. I could hear "portofolio," so I guessed that she was pickpocketed. I knew that my turn would come eventually -- little did I know how soon it would be. When I get out of a metro station at the destination, I noticed that all my day back zippers were open. Since all my valuables were in my money belt, nothing was stolen. The metro was not particularly crowded so I was impressed just how skillful these guys were -- too bad for the pickpocket, I was more prepared.

On the other hand, after my 27 hour day to travel from the west coast to Glasgow, I dropped my wallet on the shuttle bus to downtown.

A young woman ran after us yelling excuse me.

I thanked her profusely, but wasn't even with it enough to pull out enough for her to buy a pint.

Thank you whoever you are.

As many times as this topic comes up on here, and as many times as people post that they have been to Europe tons of times and never gotten mugged, I still don't see that as any kind of guarantee that YOU won't get approached.

Several years ago I was approached by gypsies (sorry about the non-PC aspect of that phrase but, let's face it, that's exactly who they were) in both Paris and Rome. In Paris, the kid waving the newspaper in my face baited me while his sister(?) walked around me quickly and checked out my trenchcoat pockets. I already knew not to put anything in there so they didn't get anything and I was just annoyed. Same trip, later in Rome we were approached near the Colleseum but our tour guide waved them away.

My hubby and I always, always, always wear money belts and just carry a little cash in a deep pocket. If we know we are going to need entrance fee payment or are shopping he wears a jacket with a good inside zipper pocket and carries one credit card in there. With the money belts you just don't have to worry or be quite as "alert" as you do otherwise which, to me, translates into a more joyful, relaxed vacation.

I have just never understood why anyone would argue AGAINST a money belt!

I've old this one before, but it applies.

We arrived by train in Paris, lugging our rolling suitcases. Went to the metro machines to buy tickets, and a guy, smelling of booze, offered to "help" us.

We huddled over the screen of the machine as he explained its mysteries, crowded together to see better. I glanced back to see a well dressed young chap, sport coat draped over his left forearm, with his right hand inside my wife's purse, which he had just unzipped. She had of course swung it behind her so she could get closer to the machine. I assume the coat was to hide the loot under.

I shouted, and the young guy was off like a flash, while his buddy started shouting at us; I assume to distract us from giving chase. It would have been futile, and perhaps dangerous, to run after the guy. If we had done that, I'm sure our luggage would have gone walkabout with the first thief.

Close call!

When in Rome, look out for what I now refer to as the "little girl gangs." Outside the Roman Forum (2 years ago in September), my friend and I were approached by two young girls--like 9 and 12--who pretended to be begging for change. They were saying, "Please, please, pour le bebe, pour le bebe," ("for the baby&quot, in a frantic and desperate sort of way, and one of them was trying to place a cloth over the small purse hanging from my shoulder, which I was using as a camera bag. It was very confusing, and we hesitated, considering giving them money, but there was just something about it . . . then my friend put his hand up to them and said "No" very emphatically and they left us alone. We saw the same girls on the subway at the Metro Cavour station, and they looked like they were looking for more suckers. The friends we made in Rome said they were gypsies, and they're all over the place. We were lucky that these particular ones weren't very good at it--because we hesitated long enough that if they were better at it, they would have at least got my camera. Have a great trip!

A few stories not area specific:
I had a experience in Amsterdam when cashing in traveler's checks. the girl in a money exchange booth tried to short me 100 guilders...i counted it and called her on it even though i was bluto at the time and never count change...i could totally sense it.
A friend was in Reno gambling and was 'marked' by an attractive woman [asking for a cigarette]. luckily, on the elevator, she backed out and warned him before reaching his floor that her partner was waiting to roll him. when he got back to the poker table the other gamblers said, 'we thought you got rolled'.
An ex-gf of a gf told me she was accosted on a tightly packed train in Mexico. A male traveler was behind her, and although noticing movement, didn't realize what happened until she got off the train discovering semen all over her backside...be aware and confident... and most especially - don't be afraid to call it.

If you have been reading and reading posts on how not to get robbed, and feel that now you're getting paranoid, then perhaps starting a thread inviting people to tell vivid stories about how they were robbed isn't exactly the best way to stop being paranoid!! Who's your worst enemy here?!!! Forget the bad guys for a minute and the kind of activity THEY engage in and think for a minute about the kind of activity YOU are engaging in. You're being robbed - in your imagination - over and over again!!!

Look, maybe you actually will get robbed. And maybe somehow despite precautions you lose everything.

Now's the time to put your imagination to work in a positive way.

Imagine yourself going to the cops - which of course you won't bother to do if the theft is minor, but remember in this version you've lost everything - and telling your story. Imagine yourself contacting the local embassy, calling your bank, and - this is the important part - contacting the family member, friend or neighbour back home, the one with whoom you left your passport photocopy, etc. so that they can help start the process of helping you get another passport, credit card, etc. Watch the imaginary you going about all this business a little frustrated and irritated perhaps, but otherwise okay.

Start filling your imagination with how well you're going to handle things - and you will - if things go wrong. I realize this doesn't make for compelling drama, but it does make one feel better, not to mention remind one to actually make that list for the friend or neighbour.

As good ol' Yoda said in that Star Wars movie:

"Do - or not do - there is no try!"

There is paranoid and there is prepared.

I was pickpocketed in a crowded subway in Paris - I was carrying a backpack since I had lots of camera gear in it. The worst part was the 'shame' of realizing I was stupid enough to let it happen to me.

Realistically, was it a big deal? No. I had prepared. (I was traveling alone, so I was more careful than usual). I only lost one credit card (easily canceled within 30 minutes, since I had copies of the front and back at my hotel) and a small amount of cash (about E20). I also carried copies of my passport, but they were in a different place.

I just went back to my hotel and kept going from there. Was it an annoyance ? Absolutely!!! Was it the end of the world and ruined my trip ? No!

prepare for the worst case scenario and life rarely is that bad.

Let me see – I have travelled in Europe and other parts of the World many times. I have had many more close calls than actual events – for the benefit of others let me share my experiences of how I was (or was nearly) robbed. I’ll start with a positive story:
• Got in late to my hotel last night after a problematic flight, delays, unable to sleep, transferring through FRA (not my fav!) so was pretty jet lagged when I got to the hotel. Was a mix up with the reservation so my humour was not at its best – so very nearly was robbed – Luckily I checked the mini-bar price on that cold sparkling water before breaking the seal. 10 Euro!!! – Close one Wombat!
• Long time ago when I started traveling I made a long distance call directly form the hotel – (did not use a calling card) – only a short call but it cost me – I was robbed!
(clearly hotels are very dangerous places – watch out folks)
• Always fill up a rental car before you return it – otherwise you will get robbed
• Also check the small print with AutoEurope (I think it was) – dropped car off in Paris and later was billed for a “premium drop off charge” – it was on the contract we signed - but underneath a heavy watermark – definitely taking lessons from those Vogons – but even so I was robbed

I could go on – but the message is clear – OP is right – dangerous world out there – which reminds me, one time in Paris partner and I order a wonderful Fruit de Mers – huge tiered thing (must be an official name for the mutli-layer cake stand thingy they serve all those goodies on). We it was a plate for two – so half and half – right? Nope partner scoffed some of the best bits..once again the Wombat was robbed!