Three Attempted On Me In Rome Within The Last 24 Hours
Nov 15th, 2007, 11:19 AM
#81
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"I still haven't figured out what the Versace scam was all about. What happens if you accept the gift? I'm not real clear on the gold ring one, either, while I'm admitting things..."
I'm not sure about the Versace one either, but having just returned from a week in Paris, I do have first hand experience with the "ring scam."
It seems kind of lame, and not all that effective for the scammer, but there must be some sort of return, as we were approached two different times with it, and it seems as if many others have been confronted with the ring, as well.
Here's what happens: You're walking along and all of a sudden someone stoops down in front of you and "finds" a gold ring on the sidewalk. Actually, unless you've just come in on a turnip truck, "gold" is not what the ring looks like - more like polished brass - The finder acts amazed, and hands the ring to you, as if to ask if you have lost it. When you say no, they may offer to give it to you or they just hand it to you. Then they want a reward for finding it.
I'm not sure if the purpose of this scam is to actually elicit money, or to distract you so they can try to pickpocket you. In any event, we just handed the fake gold ring back and said no thanks. The second time we were witness to an amazing "find," we waved the person away without engaging in any conversation at all.
I'm not sure about the Versace one either, but having just returned from a week in Paris, I do have first hand experience with the "ring scam."
It seems kind of lame, and not all that effective for the scammer, but there must be some sort of return, as we were approached two different times with it, and it seems as if many others have been confronted with the ring, as well.
Here's what happens: You're walking along and all of a sudden someone stoops down in front of you and "finds" a gold ring on the sidewalk. Actually, unless you've just come in on a turnip truck, "gold" is not what the ring looks like - more like polished brass - The finder acts amazed, and hands the ring to you, as if to ask if you have lost it. When you say no, they may offer to give it to you or they just hand it to you. Then they want a reward for finding it.
I'm not sure if the purpose of this scam is to actually elicit money, or to distract you so they can try to pickpocket you. In any event, we just handed the fake gold ring back and said no thanks. The second time we were witness to an amazing "find," we waved the person away without engaging in any conversation at all.
Nov 15th, 2007, 12:37 PM
#82
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With the Versace Scam, they hand you the'gift' in a bag, then usually ask for 20 euro for gas money. And it's not until they drive away that when you look in the bag to find you more or less have a rag.
Tom
Tom
Nov 15th, 2007, 02:11 PM
#83
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My husband and a friend were walking down the streets of Barcelona when coffee was thrown on them form a balcony. Conveniently, a "nice" man happened to be standing in the area and motioned to them to come over where he had some towels to "wipe them off" - well he "wiped off" my husband's wallet. The concierge at our hotel told us that this was a common scam by the "gypsies" in the area. Lesson learned - never let a stranger get that close to you!
Nov 15th, 2007, 05:52 PM
#84
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OK this seemed like a scam in progres on the subway in Paris. Two young girls are laughing standing in a crowded train one kiddingly touching the other's breast. My husband looks at them like they are crazy and I notice a third party moving up to his area. So I almost had to kick him to get his attention. (He is easilay distracted) No harm done that time....
Nov 15th, 2007, 08:16 PM
#85
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<<coffee was thrown on them form a balcony>>
At least I know that when the bird dropped a PINT of guano on me as I passed through the streets of Sutri, it wasn't a plot: the only one around to wipe me off was my "travelling companion." (So aptly named, it turned out ...)
The NY version used to involve a hot dog and mustard. Somebody's probably pulling that one at a state fair near you...
At least I know that when the bird dropped a PINT of guano on me as I passed through the streets of Sutri, it wasn't a plot: the only one around to wipe me off was my "travelling companion." (So aptly named, it turned out ...)
The NY version used to involve a hot dog and mustard. Somebody's probably pulling that one at a state fair near you...
Nov 19th, 2007, 08:55 PM
#86
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Following is something that happened to me at a busy BART station in SF, but it could easily have been any Metro station in any city...I was reading the info in order to purchase my ticket, and a man offered to help me. At first I thought he was in a hurry to buy HIS ticket, as he had been standing behind me, so I accepted his help. After my purchase, he then asked for change (knowing I had just received some from the purchase). I gave him the money (it was less than a dollar) - at least I received something in return for it.
Nov 20th, 2007, 03:16 PM
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applejacks1, that reminds me of a scene near the bridge near Notre Dame, where a group of girls with long skirts were hanging around. They were interacting with the crowd and one suddenly lifted her skirt and flashed her bare buttocks.
There was also an apparently related couple doing some sort of dance (maybe a tango) a short distance away. I felt these were all distractions meant to allow pickpocketing as well.
There was also an apparently related couple doing some sort of dance (maybe a tango) a short distance away. I felt these were all distractions meant to allow pickpocketing as well.
Feb 16th, 2008, 01:30 PM
#90
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hi travellers,
I suppose we all have been scammed or ripped off sometimes without knowing.
Last time I was in rome I had the shiny card trick scammed on me. A begger woman carrying what looks like a young baby around her waist (child was about 5 years old).she approached me carrying a silver board reflecting the sunlight into my eyes, whilst prodding me and asking for any spare change, the youngster went about his job of emptying my pockets of wallet, bank notes and credit cards. I relised something was amiss and pushed her and she fell over, out popped my wallet, notes and credit cards from the youngsters mits, i picked up my belongings turned around and they were gone.
but don,t let any of this put you off from a great city
ciao
jellie
I suppose we all have been scammed or ripped off sometimes without knowing.
Last time I was in rome I had the shiny card trick scammed on me. A begger woman carrying what looks like a young baby around her waist (child was about 5 years old).she approached me carrying a silver board reflecting the sunlight into my eyes, whilst prodding me and asking for any spare change, the youngster went about his job of emptying my pockets of wallet, bank notes and credit cards. I relised something was amiss and pushed her and she fell over, out popped my wallet, notes and credit cards from the youngsters mits, i picked up my belongings turned around and they were gone.
but don,t let any of this put you off from a great city
ciao
jellie
Feb 16th, 2008, 01:51 PM
#91
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<<Isn't it great that visitors to the USA don't have to put up with this nonsense!? >>
Oh, but they will get panhandled by street people in most major cities.
The worst thing I ever saw in Rome was a tiny gypsy girl about 3 sitting on the curb near the Pantheon about 11 pm, crying and falling asleep while holding out her hand for money. When she nodded off, her mother kicked her to wake her up. I felt awful about it.
Oh, but they will get panhandled by street people in most major cities.
The worst thing I ever saw in Rome was a tiny gypsy girl about 3 sitting on the curb near the Pantheon about 11 pm, crying and falling asleep while holding out her hand for money. When she nodded off, her mother kicked her to wake her up. I felt awful about it.
Feb 17th, 2008, 12:09 AM
#92
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Just curious ...
I've been in Paris now since September and have never once seen the ring scam--even being done! Or the Versace one either. Even while I was hauling my mum around all the tourist sites a few weeks ago, the only ones we saw were the "Speak English" girls with their cards.
Do they hibernate?
I've been in Paris now since September and have never once seen the ring scam--even being done! Or the Versace one either. Even while I was hauling my mum around all the tourist sites a few weeks ago, the only ones we saw were the "Speak English" girls with their cards.
Do they hibernate?
