Fake police vs the real thing

Fredrica, I've never had that happen, but of course it could. Typically, the "real" Police would be in uniform, and therefore easily identifiable. Italy has quite a number of different law enforcement agencies, so it's a bit difficult at times to keep track of them all. The main Police agencies are the Carabinieri (which is a division of the Italian Army) and the Polizia di Stato. The Carabinieri have a very distinctive uniform, reportedly designed by Giorgio Armani or another famous designer. There are also Municipal Police forces in the various towns. You're most likely to be approached by a member of the Guardia di Finanza (who will probably be in uniform). They're responsible for tax and financial matters. If you buy a Gelato or Coffee, BE SURE to hold onto the receipt when you leave the store! Some shopkeepers in the past have tried to avoid reporting income, so the Police are watching for this. Cheers!

I've thought about this one before and decided that if I was not sure or uneasy, I would not hand over any documents etc but offer to go to the nearest Police Station with them. I would never hand over my wallet to anyone even if they were in uniform!

My sister was on the Rome Metro and was approached by a couple of uniformed men. They asked to see her ticket and then tested it with a handheld device to see if it was valid. It didn't work. They demanded her passport, which she had left in the hotel. After much discussion they told her she could pay a fine on the spot or go to the police station with them. She paid. We still don't know if she was scammed or not.

I don't think it was a scam on the metro. I have seen uniformed men on the bus/metro checking for tickets. I've always had a ticket but I have seen people being escorted off of the bus and fines being written up. At the metro station on Termini I have seen people take of running when they see these metro people - I'm assuming they didn't have a ticket!

There are officers who check tickets on the metro and can fine you on the spot. They are legitimate. As for being approached on the street and them demanding to see you wallet, that's the giveaway that they are fake. The real police would never ask for your wallet, your passport-yes, but not your wallet. This scam is well known and I don't think you need to worry about it. The fact that you know about it is a good thing as you are prepared for it. If it happens, which I doubt it will, insist that they take you to the police station. If they are fakes they will not want to do that. Donna

It is nothing that happens that often either... This (impersonating a public officer) is a very serious criminal offense and usually not worth the risk for the criminals. Checking documents on spot, and train tickets, is normal and legal. Contrary to US, UK and Australia, police officers in most continental Europe can ask for ID and proof of legal status (stamped/checked passport) without any further reason. Fines can also be written on spot for foreigners by - for instance - not having their tickets properly stamped before boarding a bus (they will ALWAYS handle a receipt), something that happens often because most locals have monthly/annual passes and can board/disembark at will and some tourists just follow them without realizing they can't.