iPhone stolen in Paris
Sep 8th, 2012, 10:18 AM
#121
<Crime is crime. Period.>
I agree with that. But you can make it harder or easier for your possessions to be stolen.
Sometimes you have no control over the situation, but many times it could have been avoided by being more aware or your surroundings and cautious of where you place things of value.
That's the only point I've ever tried to make here. Has nothing to do with Paris, past or present.
I agree with that. But you can make it harder or easier for your possessions to be stolen.
Sometimes you have no control over the situation, but many times it could have been avoided by being more aware or your surroundings and cautious of where you place things of value.
That's the only point I've ever tried to make here. Has nothing to do with Paris, past or present.
Sep 8th, 2012, 11:44 AM
#122
It very much IS about Paris, and the recent proliferation of "swarm and grab" mob scene by talented and aggressive thieves.
These are not simple "not paying attention" pickpocketings or crimes of opportunity.
However it is also a warning about taking special care of electronics when you are at places with free wi-fi, as these are attractions for thieves world-wide. The Starbucks in upscale neighborhoods in Lima have also been a target. Of course in Lima they use pistols rather than pieces of paper.
http://archive.peruthisweek.com/news/14485
These are not simple "not paying attention" pickpocketings or crimes of opportunity.
However it is also a warning about taking special care of electronics when you are at places with free wi-fi, as these are attractions for thieves world-wide. The Starbucks in upscale neighborhoods in Lima have also been a target. Of course in Lima they use pistols rather than pieces of paper.
http://archive.peruthisweek.com/news/14485
Sep 8th, 2012, 05:11 PM
#123
iPhones will get stolen from the seat of your locked car in about 60 seconds if you are foolish enough to leave one there in Seattle. you can trade them directly for drugs, you don't even need to pawn them for cash first.
Sep 8th, 2012, 06:11 PM
#124
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Hi Maur2010,
First my sympathy on your misadventure. Sorry.
Recently I spent five days in Paris (don’t have an Iphone which I really regret). Then I joined a tour to Normandy and Chateaux Country which started at the Concorde Montparnasse. On the first night we had a dinner at a local bistro, basically across the street from the hotel.
Ours was the only group in a particular section of the restaurant. As we left, a woman on our tour realized that her “fanny pack” which she had placed on the floor under her seat was missing. It contained her Iphone, camera, and cash. Fortunately, her passport was back in the hotel.
The restaurant manager was unsympathetic suggesting that someone on the tour was the culprit. RIGHT. The gal and her husband spend a great deal of the tour emailing/phoning home trying to straighten out the situation because her banking info was on the cell phone.
It’s disconcerting to realize that this must have been an “inside job” at the restaurant since ours was the only group in the room.
First my sympathy on your misadventure. Sorry.
Recently I spent five days in Paris (don’t have an Iphone which I really regret). Then I joined a tour to Normandy and Chateaux Country which started at the Concorde Montparnasse. On the first night we had a dinner at a local bistro, basically across the street from the hotel.
Ours was the only group in a particular section of the restaurant. As we left, a woman on our tour realized that her “fanny pack” which she had placed on the floor under her seat was missing. It contained her Iphone, camera, and cash. Fortunately, her passport was back in the hotel.
The restaurant manager was unsympathetic suggesting that someone on the tour was the culprit. RIGHT. The gal and her husband spend a great deal of the tour emailing/phoning home trying to straighten out the situation because her banking info was on the cell phone.
It’s disconcerting to realize that this must have been an “inside job” at the restaurant since ours was the only group in the room.
Sep 9th, 2012, 05:40 AM
#126
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I don’t see how this only has to do with Paris. I have heard about this crimes WAY more in places like Rome and Moscow. There is a HUGE difference between someone robbing you at gun point and you being fooled by a simple distraction. I would not give anyone, other than my travel companion the time of day, while on a trip. Anyone else that would try to "talk" with me to try to distract me would not even me given the time of day by me.
Sep 9th, 2012, 05:44 AM
#127
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ginitown,
In a nut shell, bring your iPod. There is no strategy needed. Keep it in your hand. I guess the only real excuse is if a huge man would come up to you and literally rip it out of your hand by brute force. I can’t think about traveling without my pod. its right up there with a camera and passport.
SUZE--sounds like you and i are the only ones that come back with all the belongings that we left home with.
In a nut shell, bring your iPod. There is no strategy needed. Keep it in your hand. I guess the only real excuse is if a huge man would come up to you and literally rip it out of your hand by brute force. I can’t think about traveling without my pod. its right up there with a camera and passport.
SUZE--sounds like you and i are the only ones that come back with all the belongings that we left home with.
Sep 9th, 2012, 06:36 AM
#128
Seriouly DarkMargic (lol)! I'll admit I've been lucky in that regard.
ginitown, No need to be afraid, just use it in your hand, then put it back into your purse or pocket. Don't leave it laying on a cafe table beside you. Easy.
ginitown, No need to be afraid, just use it in your hand, then put it back into your purse or pocket. Don't leave it laying on a cafe table beside you. Easy.
Sep 9th, 2012, 08:05 AM
#129
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latedaytraveller, frankly the women left her "fanny pack" on the floor and that sounds so out of the world stupid to me that I can't sympathize at all.
And for those who think this is a Paris thing, HA, try Barcelona and Rome ,, they are as bad if not worse.
And for those who think this is a Paris thing, HA, try Barcelona and Rome ,, they are as bad if not worse.
Sep 10th, 2012, 06:11 AM
#130
These examples just bring home the point, you shouldn't leave your stuff laying around when you travel. Putting something on the floor under your chair at a restaurant, well just don't do that.
Sep 10th, 2012, 08:26 AM
#131
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I think that just about everything that had to be said was said (and more!), but I'd still like to weigh in.
I empathize with the OP (I won't even deign to comment on the silly "Paris is not safe for Americans" warning, with the attendant implication that Paris is any safer for Australians or Russians, please!) and am very sorry about your experience. It can happen everywhere and it's doubly worse when it happens on a trip that you have awaited with such impatience. And no, when you are assailed in such a way, your reaction might let you down and you may not automatically think to grab all of your stuff. It's really all about luck. You can get mugged in your safe hometown and come out unscathed in the world's most dangerous city. I have known somebody who had woken up from a drunken stupor in Cambodia with his belongings intact and I have known somebody who was mugged in broad daylight in NYC.
Having said all that. Folks. There is a punishing economic crisis afoot at the momoment that is felt acutely in the Mediterranean countries of Europe. There is a fair bit of resentment with the "haves" (or at least the perceived "haves"), and Paris has in recent years been afflicted with the restive Maghreb immigrants in its banlieues. Unless you are working/studying in Paris...if you're on holidays, please, please do think twice about brandishing your valuable belongings. Although the Starbucks episode shouldn't have happened in the first place, we live in febrile times and it is best to avoid all signs of conspicuous consumption. I can tell you that I live in a metropolis that is considered very safe, and yet people here are warned to take care of their i-merchandise on public transit. I see people opening their spanking brand-new Macs on subway trains, and I think to myself "this is not wise at all." Please do exercise caution and restraint, even if you are in a Parisian Starbucks on a second floor where everyone has his and her laptop opened.
I have been to Paris several times and have never had any problems. I am, however, male and of an age that is probably not perceived as "ideal" for potential muggers. However, I have felt uncomfortable in Paris on more than one occasion. It CAN feel dicey in some areas, esp. later at night on the rather sinister-looking Metro.
Stay safe and happy travels!
I empathize with the OP (I won't even deign to comment on the silly "Paris is not safe for Americans" warning, with the attendant implication that Paris is any safer for Australians or Russians, please!) and am very sorry about your experience. It can happen everywhere and it's doubly worse when it happens on a trip that you have awaited with such impatience. And no, when you are assailed in such a way, your reaction might let you down and you may not automatically think to grab all of your stuff. It's really all about luck. You can get mugged in your safe hometown and come out unscathed in the world's most dangerous city. I have known somebody who had woken up from a drunken stupor in Cambodia with his belongings intact and I have known somebody who was mugged in broad daylight in NYC.
Having said all that. Folks. There is a punishing economic crisis afoot at the momoment that is felt acutely in the Mediterranean countries of Europe. There is a fair bit of resentment with the "haves" (or at least the perceived "haves"), and Paris has in recent years been afflicted with the restive Maghreb immigrants in its banlieues. Unless you are working/studying in Paris...if you're on holidays, please, please do think twice about brandishing your valuable belongings. Although the Starbucks episode shouldn't have happened in the first place, we live in febrile times and it is best to avoid all signs of conspicuous consumption. I can tell you that I live in a metropolis that is considered very safe, and yet people here are warned to take care of their i-merchandise on public transit. I see people opening their spanking brand-new Macs on subway trains, and I think to myself "this is not wise at all." Please do exercise caution and restraint, even if you are in a Parisian Starbucks on a second floor where everyone has his and her laptop opened.
I have been to Paris several times and have never had any problems. I am, however, male and of an age that is probably not perceived as "ideal" for potential muggers. However, I have felt uncomfortable in Paris on more than one occasion. It CAN feel dicey in some areas, esp. later at night on the rather sinister-looking Metro.
Stay safe and happy travels!
Sep 10th, 2012, 04:54 PM
#133
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Personally, I think unless you have been to Paris very recently you should withhold comments.
I just returned from Paris and can verify it is very alive with packs of Roma/gypssy youth due, I believe, to the near absence of any police near tourist attractions. The thieves will approach you within minutes of leaving a Metro station with their clipboards. They also will approach you multiple times near every major tourist attraction. When we were there we got hit up at least a dozen times by clipboard gypsies, gold ring finders, used Metro ticket sellers, light my cigarette, etc.. in just 4 full days of visiting.
I know there is alot of Paris lovers who man this board and I am one of them, but this needs to be taken care of by the authorities - yesterday. I cannot stress enough what a sad detraction it is for this beautiful city I love.
BTW. Rome had a heavy police force at every major tourist attraction. I spent twice as much time there and was never approached. Not even once.
I just returned from Paris and can verify it is very alive with packs of Roma/gypssy youth due, I believe, to the near absence of any police near tourist attractions. The thieves will approach you within minutes of leaving a Metro station with their clipboards. They also will approach you multiple times near every major tourist attraction. When we were there we got hit up at least a dozen times by clipboard gypsies, gold ring finders, used Metro ticket sellers, light my cigarette, etc.. in just 4 full days of visiting.
I know there is alot of Paris lovers who man this board and I am one of them, but this needs to be taken care of by the authorities - yesterday. I cannot stress enough what a sad detraction it is for this beautiful city I love.
BTW. Rome had a heavy police force at every major tourist attraction. I spent twice as much time there and was never approached. Not even once.
Sep 10th, 2012, 08:57 PM
#135
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Europenewbie,, I was there end of July into beginnning of August, recent enough for you, lol . I had warned my boyfriend about the "gypsies" in Paris as this was his first trip overseas. After a few days there he started laughing at me and said I had exaggerated the problem , we had seen and encountered so few.
I have also been to Rome, only 3 times, but the gypsies there are absolutely just as much of a problem, they harrassed my 11 yr old daughter in Rome.
Sometimes people just see more, or occaisonally the police in either city to a run at them, and they scurry underground a bit, but they emerge after the push out within days.
I have also been to Rome, only 3 times, but the gypsies there are absolutely just as much of a problem, they harrassed my 11 yr old daughter in Rome.
Sometimes people just see more, or occaisonally the police in either city to a run at them, and they scurry underground a bit, but they emerge after the push out within days.
Sep 11th, 2012, 03:49 PM
#138
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justinparis - glad you were aware of the problem and warned your boyfriend beforehand. We were there exactly the same time you were, though. I REALLY have a hard time believing you were never approached by clipboard wielding gypsy girls. They were literally everywhere near tourist attractions pretending to solicit tourists for signatures. Perhaps you avoided tourist attractions because you have seen them on all your other visits?
I just read an article stating these girls have a leader imposed quota of 5 stolen IPhones per day per pack.
I just read an article stating these girls have a leader imposed quota of 5 stolen IPhones per day per pack.
Sep 11th, 2012, 05:10 PM
#139
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Yes, the clipboard girls exist. They were annoying during my last trip but didn't ruin it.
I'm getting an inferiority complex because I have a Samsung Galaxy which I really like. Apparently, not nice enough to steal.
I'm getting an inferiority complex because I have a Samsung Galaxy which I really like. Apparently, not nice enough to steal.
