Fortunately, Rick Steves covered this in his book on Paris, or I may have fallen prey to this scam. I was walking along near the Louvre and I heard a metallic noise on the ground. I turned around to see a portly older woman bend over to pick up a gold ring. She tried to get me to look at it, and was very persistent. Just wave her off and keep walking!!!
Posted by
XXX
1170 posts
Is that ring scam still around?
You did the right thing.
My son decided he will pull a few scams of his own while we're in Europe.
He's buying some cheap $1 wallets and stuffing them with fake money. He is buying a few dollar store gold rings so if he's shown one by those scammers, he'll whip out his own too!lol
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
251 posts
I had read all about that scam and thought it was so silly and obvious. Until it happened to my husband (ha ha the only French person in the group). I have to say it was pretty believable (her actions not the story). Anyway she just kept going on. So what I did was get real animated "hey I said, you're famous! Did you know you and your ring thing is all over the internet" Oh yeah everyone knows about you, Oh man this is so cool I've never met an "internet star" before. Oh could I please take your picture, please, please, oh next to my husband. Wow a real scam, me in Paris, this is so cool." I also put my arms around her and kept touching her, you know like Americans do in that affectionate way but in a way so that she was scared of me, and just left.
Posted by
FLW, MO, US
69 posts
Has anyone ever said "OH yes I did drop my ring thank you!" and just take it and walk away? It would leave them confused. :)
Posted by
Cookeville, TN
31 posts
Colleen, the scammer would then expect a reward for finding and returning your "valuable property". It is best to ignore and walk on.
Posted by
XXX
1170 posts
Honestly, we do need to laugh or something. We need to let them know that we KNOW what they were up to.
My son is going to have his wallet stuffed with fake money, and keep it in his back pocket. He will show them he already got a ring too! lol
Posted by
San Diego, CA, United States
864 posts
My adult son and I just returned from Paris a couple of days ago and yes, walking to the Louvre a guy tried the scam on us. I just kept walking buy my son paused. Here's the nice part, a French gentleman said to my son "he is a deciever trying to trick you" and guided my son along. There are LOTS of nice people out there...remember it.