Easy prey: divorce tourists in different countries

Russian people abroad is usually a particularly reckless or very trusting, and therefore often perceived scammers all over the world as an easy prey. Ingenuity swindlers can be surprised, but they are working on some similar methods, even if their number and growing. Today, I'll introduce you to the basic tricks, which caught the inexperienced tourists. Read this post and you may become a more responsible traveler, and at the same time save well.

The taxi driver illusionist

Let's start with the Americas. Taxi drivers are basically specific, but among them there are real crooks. If you try to pay for the trip in a taxi large bills (eg, 100 Argentine pesos), you can catch the taxi driver a simple trick.

It is as if automatically will take the bill out of it in her fingers of one hand, then "remember" that he does not surrender. Before he returns have a counterfeit bill, which was hidden in his fist, and this will take themselves. It is clear that no one will take in supermarkets and restaurants fake you, but you can try it out on other swindlers who sell stolen goods to the bazaars. In this case, only be on the lookout.

And learn, finally looks like a currency with which you have to handle!

Where it works: Argentina, Brazil.

Mustard attack

It may happen that you are on a busy street is stained with ketchup, mustard, or even some bad washable and very noticeable sauce. Mustard can throw, for example, from the balcony under which you were, or sprinkle in your ketchup straight from the crowd.

You, of course, immediately surround friendly local who will offer their help or you just start to clean - in both senses of the word. While you are distracted and annoyed mustard terrorist attack, the thieves try to steal your wallet and a smartphone. It is interesting that in the crowd, which helps you to clean, and can not be accomplices of swindlers. But even if it is ordinary passers-by, a diversionary role they will play. By the way, on the forums write that this type of fraud is widespread in Europe. Be careful, do not let anyone touch you.

Where he worked in Buenos Aires, Paris.

"Free cheese"

In the major cities in South America have a certain number of bars (usually strip bars) that offer "free drink". If you come there alone and order a beer, then soon you will sit down a couple of half-naked girls, who will try to keep you small talk. When you want to leave, you will approach the bouncer and hinted that it was time to pay, not only for its beer, but also for these young ladies drinks. In Argentina overall check may exceed 400 pesos (more than 2 thousand).

Until you pay, the bar will not let you. The police treat pointless: the local law enforcement officers will demonstrate a surprising lack of interest in your adventure.

Where he worked in Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Bogota.

werewolf in epaulets

Inexperienced travelers may easily confuse the figure of a police officer in full dress, and often still armed. Under the pretext of your protection against fraud, he may ask to check your wallet for counterfeit notes, and then return it with the phrase "All clear!". Of course, a few bills in your wallet will be missed, but not all at once it is noticed, especially if the wallet is full of unusual for the eyes of the local currency.

In other cases, a police officer may ask for your passport and simply run away with him, taking advantage of your moment of confusion.

In any case, before you go study in which cases the local police is entitled to have the documents and even more things to seize. Also, do not forget to ask the police to introduce themselves and show ID. Do not be amiss to find out in advance what shape are the law enforcers of the country where you are going. If the scammers will not timid (or if you are in doubt, not real if you suddenly in front of the cops), say that your documents are locked in the hotel safe, and invite them to accompany you.

Where it works: Latin America, "black" Africa.

Topsy-Turvy in the underground

Some time ago in St. Petersburg operated group of swindlers, who tracked down and worked out his victims in the subway. Typically, they use pandemonium when leaving the vehicle or input into it, or when braking trains, simulating the fall, creating a crush, pressing against the victim and so on. As long as one to three people so distracted tourist, one fumbled in his pockets (usually targeting mobile phones, cameras and purses).

To learn how to steal in subway trains in other countries, not only write, but the crowd is better to be on the alert and not to put anything in the external pockets.

Where it works: St. Petersburg, perhaps, Moscow.

Theater Performance

You may accidentally witness a dispute of a beautiful woman with a street vendor. He will yell, arguing that hussy stole his goods, and the woman will deny everything and even try to take off her clothes, to prove innocence. Onlookers, watching the scandal will certainly become targets for thieves.

Safety rules are very simple: if you are intrigued by such ideas, at least not carry a wallet and a smartphone in your back pocket. Hide your valuables in an inner pocket or belt pouch, which is always on your mind. Backpack in the crowd even better to remove, do not forget to check if everything is buttoned zipper. It is clear that this is not always save us from thieves action, but at least you will not become easy prey for them.

Where it works: Latin America, the Balkans, Spain.

Children's Question

A gaggle of children can surround you, demanding money or goodies. And sometimes it happens that a bad uncle tolknot child at your feet. You go astray him down, distract, to help him and his employers, meanwhile, will understand your stuff. If you just give the children a trifle, crooks will remember where you hid the purse, and will know where to look at the first opportunity.

Where it works: The Middle East, Barcelona, ​​Africa.

"Italian strike"

In some cities, tellers and street vendors just have a habit of slowly counting the change in the hope that you udovolstvuetes the fact that they will have already given, and the remainder will not be a wait.

If you are in Italy have change coins, look carefully to see if among them old coins of 500 lire. Outwardly, they are very similar to the coin 2 euro, which is used by some sellers.

Where he worked in Rome, Naples, a number of other cities.

Darony Trojan horse

In Spain, welcoming gypsy can offer you a sprig of rosemary, "a sign of friendship" or "good luck" or to put you into the hands of "free" bracelet. After that, she wants to tell fortunes to you by the hand, and then, of course, require money for their "services".

If you do not pay her, she will arrange the scandal. Usually gypsy prey on young women.

In Moscow, in the center from time to time come to the aunt hunting with roses. They offer roses to young people, walking with the girls. Often young men becomes uncomfortable, and they are maintained at this psychological trick when buying flowers at an exorbitant price. By the way, in the capital, there are people who really give out free flowers (for example, a man in a suit mime), but molestation is not to everyone.

Where it works: Madrid, Barcelona.

Broken counter

Another favorite technique of taxi drivers. It is widespread, often complain of South and Central America. The taxi driver, on duty near the airport or train station, ready to take the customer wherever you go, but as soon as he gets in the car, said the counter is broken, and the twists mad price for the trip.

Coping with this is simple: just ask the taxi drivers if it works the counter, or discuss the fare before boarding the car. Where it works: Argentina, Brazil, Mexico.

"Old Hotel"

Starring taxi drivers again. First, the driver agrees to take you to your hotel or hostel, but halfway suddenly announce that there is no place in it, or it is generally closed. After that, the taxi driver will offer you a more expensive hotel, earning both the transfer and in the commission of this new hotel.

Avoid this wiring, again, very simple. Call ahead to the hotel and confirm the reservation, and the taxi driver, explain that you are aware of all the affairs of your hotel.

Where it works: Central and South America

"Hachiko"

If next to you suddenly appear a stranger with a dog, tie her leash to a post and ask you to look after her, be on the lookout. May soon announce his accomplice, who presented you as an expert breeder. He sees the dog and immediately begin to describe what is not just Bobby, and a unique copy of a particular breed with the most valuable pedigree in front of you. And there is Bobby fabulous money, and he wants to buy it right then and there.

If the traveler quite stupid and greedy, he will ask the expert to come in an hour, will wait for the owner to return and try to buy his poor dog for a good amount. Naturally, the "breeder" will never be back.

Perhaps you will feel sorry for the dog, but it may be her work. Some dogs are more likely to know how to run their real masters, that is, the fraudsters, after the conclusion of the transaction. But do not try to check)

Where it works: Not available.

"The Thieving Magpie"

The trick with the "golden ring" or other jewelry that cranks Gypsies in Paris. It's very simple.

First client should note, someone dropped the ring. If he tries to pick it up, it was ahead of the fraudster, who offered to share the prey into two parts. He (or she) will try to ring on the tooth and will try to convince you that it is made of pure gold. After that, he will say that the pawnshop does not want him to go to (or come up with another excuse) and you agree to sell its stake for a small amount. So you are for a few euros will be the owner of cheap fakes cost about 1 euro. Where it works: Paris, Barcelona and other major European cities.

The game of thimbles

Everybody knows what kind of game. Still there is a modification to the card. The game of thimbles or three cards are popular in different variations among fraudsters around the world. Even if someone wins, do not let themselves provoke. In the first place, the winner may be the frontman. Secondly, it can be a tourist, like you, but lead gives him a head start, then to cut off even more money, when he carried away.

By the way, in Moscow, this game used to be very popular. Giljarovsky wrote naporstochnikah who stuck the ball crumb to the nail. Thus, all three thimble remained empty during the movement, and no one had a chance to win. If, again, the rascal did not want to provoke someone easy profits.

Where he works worldwide.

Amateur Photographer

Elementary trick that works in most tourist areas of the Earth. Good for the couple in love. The scammer offers to take a picture of just a few on her own camera, and then instantly lost in the crowd with the camera, or even runs open. You can certainly try to catch up with him, but do not: the city he knows so much better, and the corner of the tourist can wait accomplices runner, on which there is a risk of one camera does not shake.

Where he worked in Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Paris, and other hugely popular tourist point.

Broken scooter

Wiring with "broken" scooter, motorcycle or bicycle has been used successfully in Southeast Asia. That is, in those places where the rent is popular two-wheeled transport.

As always, the trick is simple. Some detail the scooter go bad or almost off and glued with a thin layer of glue in the calculation, it will fall off by itself after an hour trip. Sometimes fraudsters move on and break the scooter immediately, but the nearest night. In addition, a motor scooter in general can "hijack". If something happened to you of the following, you know that you will be required money for the repair of equipment, or as compensation for its theft.

Calculate reliable distributors is difficult, but try to learn the forums and ask around the advice of seasoned travelers, who are familiar with Asian countries. If you have already rented a scooter, it is better to use your own lock. Repairing damaged equipment is better in the service that you choose for yourself, and not that the owner will recommend a scooter.

Where it works: Philippines, Thailand.

"The Night Porter"

If you have already checked into the hotel, you can still be in the sight of thieves. You can call in the middle of the night to "confirm your credit card information." I do not need to explain once again that any information about his bank card, you do not have to tell anyone. If some kind of problem and there, feel free to send the caller to the four winds and the promise in the morning to have a heart. Most likely, you are trying to "catch" stop.

Where does South America.

Suave shoeshine

levik told about another way to clear the extra money from tourists, which is used in Istanbul:

"One of the most famous places in Istanbul - Galata Bridge, across the Golden Horn Bay from the bridge open good views of the old town, there are many tourist restaurants with barkers and constantly crowded Here ply shoeblacks But they and other popular places you can meet... .

These cleaners are always the same set of tools: a stool, sat down to the client, a wooden box, so that the client has set foot on it, and all kinds of brushes, creams, and so on. One brush always hanging on the nail side of the box. Passing by you, one of these crooks inadvertently drops the brush, and goes further, not noticing the loss. You, being a man of decent (it's why you chose) not apply, call out the poor guy: "Hey, buddy - you look, brush has fallen!"

The villain raise it, and then crumble in thanks: "!!! Thank you Thank you very much Mr. true gentleman I just have to thank you!"

And instead of a brush to hang back in its place, he immediately begins to try to clean your shoes, "in gratitude". At the moment, you will feel like the most honorable man in a radius of one hundred meters. (That is what counts and the bastard!)

I am sure you have already guessed what's the catch. If you agree, having finished cleaning, this rogue will require payment for their work, with his services will be unexpectedly expensive, considering that he initially tried to thank you. (Usually they ask for around 50 lira, but is also more expensive.)

If you remind him that it was he who offered to clean your shoes in gratitude to you for your honor, he agrees, but says that it is not said that he would do it for free. (It is really very careful not to say anything.)

I immediately refused the services of the first such obsessive man, suspecting that there may be something wrong. But I was not completely sure until after 30 seconds even three shoe shiners "accidentally" dropped his brush.

By the way if you look closely, you can see how poorly they are engaged. Drop a flick of the wrist is not for the experienced razvodily no problems.

If you are left with no money, and you have nowhere to go to a strange city, try to find the Russian consulate. The local police contact after the conversation with our diplomats. It is likely that the diplomats do their work do not want to. This could be the diplomatic mission, which decided to tear the ass from the chair only for the team, and only in some resonant cases (for example, when from some countries to evacuate Russian citizens, and talking about it in the federal news). It all depends on the particular employees. But the consulate you, as it may be, will be able to call relatives and friends to talk about their situation and decide together what to do next. Pay attention to the fact that the victims of scams are usually solitary tourists. If you go to a company, then there is a risk of rogue, that half of those present to any tricks do not bite, and maybe ask bashing. So if you are walking around the city, then walk at least two of us.