Fred Lash once said, “Being concerned about crime is a healthy attitude to have when you are travelling. Blackberries and cellphones have enabled con artists to communicate better and more easily target travellers.”
Today there are numerous scams including taxi scams, money-changing scams, sympathy scams, passport scams and countless others. Here are a few well-known cons and some tips to help recognize and avoid them.
Gypsy Baby: The victim is usually a female traveller. A woman, carrying a baby in a blanket, tosses the child into the arms of the victim. Amid the confusion, a cohort grabs the victim’s purse, camera and anything else valuable. The crooks run away and the victim is left with a blanket and a baby doll.
Hint: Always keep the strap of your shoulder bag or camera around you.
Bus 64-Rome: Since Bus 64 passes many of Rome’s most famous sites, it is very popular with pickpockets. They work in teams of two to four and go after purses/wallets, cameras and any other valuables.
Hint: Secure your property and keep it close.
Missing money: A pedestrian bumps up against you and drops something. If you pick it up and attempt to return it, the pedestrian accuses you of theft of some money. He makes a scene of it and is willing to forget it in exchange for a few dollars.
Hint: If this happens to you, call the police immediately, especially if you are in Turkey, as usually the police are well aware of this trick.
Camel Ride: Part of a tour option includes a ride on a camel. At the end you are quickly approached to pay. A couple of minutes later you are approached a second time to pay. The first person has conned you and the second person is legitimate. Naturally the first person is not to be seen.
Hint: If you have a guide let him/her straighten it out. Pay only once.
The Tie: A young, charming girl approaches a tourist couple and asks if the woman would like a string for good luck. The woman agrees and asks the price. She is told there is no charge as it is a local custom. The girl ties a string on one wrist and then the other indicating that she will cut the string as soon as she is finished. Once the wrists are tied an accomplice grabs the purse, camera or anything valuable and disappears quickly into the crowd. The husband stands and decides whether to chase or to release his wife from the string.
Hint: Research the customs of other countries.
Internet Café: Two travelling students go into the Internet café and place their backpacks on the chair. A disturbance breaks out in the cafe and the two get up and walk a couple of steps to see what is happening. When they come back to sit down, their backpacks are missing.
Hint: Always have your backpack attached to you in some way at all times.
Photo Shakedown: You are asked by someone that you do not know if you would take a picture of them standing by a specific attraction. You agree and are given two cameras, which makes it very difficult for you to hold your own camera, travel bag or backpack. So you place them down, however briefly. As you place the camera up to focus and take the picture, a third person dashes out of nowhere and grabs your bags and disappears.
Hint: Be in control of your possessions at all times – hook the strap to your leg.
Bill MacDonald is a St. Albert-based travel consultant. He can be reached at [email protected]
