I think it's good to travel with your eyes open! The more you know the more you'll be ready. I've see each of these in action in Paris (and a couple of other cities) except the ATM scam. They aren't terribly threatening but would be unpleasant if you were on the receiving end of them. Short, informative article.
Paris is quite safe but there are always those who will take the opportunity to take advantage of you if allowed!
Posted by
Chicago
8554 posts
I feel great sympathy for people who get confused about transport tickets and get fined, for people who are pickpocketed and for those who have money stolen at ATMs. It is pretty hard to feel a lot of sympathy for people caught up in these totally silly 'scams' though. I mean WHO hasn't heard of 3 card monte, a scam that was practiced in Biblical times or would fall for the 'gold ring drop'.
Probably a useful article for new travelers and to have people on the lookout to be entertained by these grifters.
Posted by
IJzendijke, The Netherlands
2087 posts
I agree with Janet.
It also makes sense to pay attention to the fact that many tourists are victim of their own greed and stupidity and are partly responsable for those scams as it is the main reason why those people hang around. Ofcourse it always can happen to become victim of a scam, pickpocketing or whatever, but I do not support the idea that I often have here on the forum that tourists are automatically the victim in the case something happens. It is the responsibility of everybody to stay away of these people, so having lesser opportunities to play their harmful games.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
It's not cool to blame the victims no matter how "silly" the scam is. There is also the expression "there is a sucker born everyday". There are lots of people on this planet (millions) who have never heard of three card monte or the ring scam. Not everyone lives in the big bad city and is exposed to it everyday. Even if they do read a paragraph in a guidebook about it's unreasonable to expect every tourist to be transformed into Jason Bourne instanly ready to protect their personal space like a robot.
Posted by
Truro, NS, Canada
3941 posts
Oh boy, we met some fellow Canadians while at Versailles who fell for the gold ring scam. I don't think they fell for it to the tune of too many euro, and I got the impression they may have been aware of the scam in the far recesses of their mind but for some reason still handed over some cash.
That being said, hubby and I fell for the petition scam our first time to Venice in 2008...only for like 2 euro. It was 'please sign our petition against drug use (??!)...oh, can you make a donation?" I'm sure some bells were ringing, but it took us by surprise. We also made the mistake of taking a proffered rose while at the Trevi Ftn - again, only a few euro. The guy was trying to get more but hubby was like - this is all I have. Then, in 2012, hubby fell for the petition thing AGAIN in Florence! I had to remind him about it...and now we just put our hands up in a 'go away' gesture when approached by someone with a clipboard, and keep the arms crossed if people are trying to hand out roses (or the 'deaf' people handing out cards in Toronto, or the 'Buddhist monks' handing out trinkets in NYC!)
Posted by
Portland
3643 posts
In my opinion, the petition scam is in a completely different category from those which extract large amounts of money from tourists. A couple of euros isn't a big deal. However, why would anyone think that signing a petition is in any way a useful act for dealing with drug problems? You are asking to be fleeced if you do it.
Posted by
OP
Long Beach, California, USA
3398 posts
The purpose and the spirit of this forum is to help people avoid scams and have a pleasant trip by providing information about many different types of issues. The reason I chose to post this is because there are some people who really have no idea about these kinds of scams, especially if they aren't from an urban area or are new to travel. Blaming someone for their own lack of knowledge is a bit mean I think. Yes, they need to do their homework and know before they go but this forum exists to help them do just that!
This small article was concise and accurate and is a good addition to the resources available here.
Posted by
7 posts
Anita, thank you for posting this -- it was informative. I'm traveling to Paris for the first time next month with an RS tour -- never heard of the gold ring trick.
Posted by
Truro, NS, Canada
3941 posts
As I said, it was out first trip to Europe. We were caught unawares. Put on the spot. They ask you to sign a petition, then hit you up for a donation to help their cause. You certainly can walk away. And after this happened and we had more than 30 sec to think about it, it seemed really odd to us, but that's what happens when you are two polite Canadians who have never been confronted with this type of thing, since we come from a town of 12,000. Ditto the rose. He could have just dropped it, but politeness is just ingrained in us here in our neck of the woods.
Needless to say when the deaf and dumb girls in Avignon started physically grabbing at my husband in 2012, he wasn't so polite, especially after I reminded him about the scam. We are much more 'worldly' now, so to speak. The only scam I knew of in '08 was Rick Steves warning you about gypsies in the train stations throwing babies at you or squirting something on your clothing and stealing your stuff while cleaning you off. And pickpockets of course.
These articles should always be shared for the newbies. Thanks Anita!
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
I mean WHO hasn't heard of 3 card monte,
That brings back memories of my first trip to England in 1979. I think I had heard of 3 card monte, but had no idea what it looked like. Then I started to watch a guy in London play a hidden card game with a good-sized audience. I watched from a distance, then got a little closer. Maybe a little too close, because the guy tried to drag me into it. I managed to leave, but then knew what 3 card monte looks like.
Posted by
Dallas, TX, usa
323 posts
We were accosted for money for drug rehabilitation many times in Florence and Venice. My husband would tell them "No, drugs are good, who told you they were bad?". And they would be so surprised by his answer they were speechless and let us be on our way. It was almost funny to see their reaction
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Jerry that's funny.. I was thinking the same thing.. what is "against drug use" and how would a petition help? lol
I live in a small city .. but I have heard of the three cup scam.. way before I ever I saw it in Paris.
There is no free lunch folks.. that woman in the crowd who just won 100 euros.. really.. you believe it.. lol
I agree that many tourists would not know about things like the Ring Scam however.. that was a new one to me.. and as for pickpockets its something we don't encounter in North America( regularily I mean) so yes its important for any traveller going to ANY europeon city to be aware of this.. and likely isn't if they haven't done any travel forum browsing ( which many tourists have not)
The metro ticket scam is old as the hills.. but then again someone who has never been to Europe is not going to know it.. but as I said in the thread about it.. children here do not wait by machines to help adults.. why would it not seem shady in Europe?
I have a naturally suspicion mind however.. travel from a young age has taught me that things are often not as they seem.. other people are far more "innocent" and trusting.. me .. I trust no one completely .. lol
Its hard to convince some people to be "mean" ie: say no .. and ignore people. .Like Nicoles husband.. the "nice" gene kicks in automatically..