Traveling to Europe is always fun and interesting, but as with other destinations, the old world has its share of travel scams. Here, we’ll take a look at some common European travel scams and provide you with some tips for avoiding them.
The Argument
One of the newest scams to hit European streets is the argument scenario. This particular travel scam is popular in Italy, but it does happen in other areas. Normally, it involves a beautiful woman who begins and argument with a street vendor. The vendor usually accuses the woman of shoplifting, and in order to prove that she’s innocent, she begins to remove various items of clothing. As you might suspect, this spectacle causes a crowd to gather. Once the woman is down to her underwear, the vendor typically makes a huge show of apologizing, then the woman makes a scene while putting her clothes back on. While this might be hugely entertaining, it’s designed to distract onlookers so a team of pickpockets can lift their wallets and disappear before the “show” comes to an end.
This same scenario can involve men or women fighting, and it can sometimes involve people who appear to be tourists. In areas where tourist traffic is heavy, thieves blend in by carrying cameras, wearing the same styles tourists normally wear, and generally acting like they are tourists themselves. Be cautious about getting too close to anyone you aren’t familiar with.
Beggars
In Europe, beggars are common. While they may appear to be in genuine distress, it is best to assume that they are pickpockets or thieves. These beggars may be children, and they usually work in groups of two or more. Often, they work in large groups, choosing their targets carefully, and accosting them with loud, urgent pleas. It’s impossible not to feel a sense of pity for these kids, but it’s best to stay away from them and pay close attention to your valuables.
Set-Up Scams
In busy street markets, particularly in places like Florence, Berlin, and Barcelona, the classic shell game is very popular. Unfortunately, many game operators are con artists, working together with “winners” who make the game look easy. Most tourists are taken in by the charm and apparent friendliness of game operators, but rarely do real customers win these games. It’s best to avoid them altogether and keep your money in your pockets.
Fortune Tellers
While some fortune tellers work legitimately and provide horoscopes or entertaining peeks into the future, others are very pushy and will go to great lengths to get tourists to part with their money. The fortune teller scam is a popular one in Spain, particularly in Barcelona. There, bedraggled-looking elderly women roam the streets carrying bunches of rosemary or other herbs. They approach people and attempt to hand them an herbal bouquet, and when the bouquet is accepted, they grab the victim’s hand and begin giving them a palm reading, after which they demand payment. If this happens to you, resist by refusing to accept the handout, and by saying “No Gracias” in a polite but firm way.
European travel scams are very easy to avoid if you know what to look for, and while there are many types of scams, they usually involve some kind of scuffle or some form of supposed entertainment. Europe is generally a very safe place to travel, and so long as you remain vigilant, wear a money belt, and prevent yourself from being talked into anything that doesn’t seem quite right, you should prove to be a difficult mark, rather than an easy one – this alone will help keep you from becoming a target.