Gold ring scam in France

Last updated on 30 Apr 2019

France

Nice, Paris, Strasbourg

How it works:

Opening:
- A gypsy finds a gold ring on the floor, points at the “18k” hallmark on the ring and offers it to you (it is actually worthless polished brass).
- She asks if it’s yours, if you say no, she will suggest giving to your wife as it will make her happy. She also claims that her religion forbids keeping the ring.

Set-up:
- If you take it, she will share a sob story (e.g. robbed, poor), and asks if you can spare some money for her to buy food.
- The more scheming ones will have an accomplice steal from you while you are distracted.

Places to beware:

Nice: Castle Hill
Paris: Eiffel Tower, Pont des Arts, Seine River, Place de la Concorde, Palais Garnier Opera House, Lourve Museum, Jardin de Tuileries, Musee d’Orsay, Palais Garnier – Opera National de Paris, Musee de l’Orangerie, Galeries Lafayette, Pont-Neuf, Arc de Triomphe, Pont Alexandre III, Champs-Elysees, Notre Dame Cathedral
Strasbourg: Cathedrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg

What to do:

Decline, if it’s not yours, don’t take it.

Tell us your story

7 user stories related to this scam

Ring Scam in Paris

Arslan Amir 21 Jun 2019 2 0

Heard this from a friend.

He was walking down near Norte Dame when a middle-aged lady came across and picked up a ring from right in front of him. She asked him if the ring was his and he said no and tried to keep walking, but instead the lady said that she would be happy to sell it to him since it looks really valuable. Even upon saying no multiple times the woman would insist and force him to buy it. Turns out it is a pretty common scam there in Paris usually around the Eiffel Tower and Norte Dame.

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On the bridge from Orsay to the Louvre

Michael1 12 Nov 2018 2 0

I saw the broken camera scam yesterday outside the Louvre and the golden ring scam on the bridge from Orsay to the Louvre.

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Notre Dame Cathedral (Gold ring scam)

Caroline 19 Oct 2018 2 2

In under 48 hours, my travelling companion and I were hit up multiple times in Paris:

Part 1: 1 person before 6:00am at Charles de Gaulle airport as we were flying out of Paris earlier this week – Terminal 1.

Part 2: 1 person at Notre Dame Cathedral (Gold ring scam). I stated, “Non scam,” and we both walked away. The woman stood there for a short while and we did not return to the spot.

Part 3: Tour Eiffel with the string

Part 4: Petition scam – 6 times on one day and 1 time on another day

Part 5: Three cup gambling at Tour Eiffel

Part 6: My travelling companion was approached by a man stating, “One Euro, one Euro,” with some Tour Eiffel metalwork replicas.

Part 7: Different sob story scammers at Notre Dame Cathedral

Part 8: Overcharged for a meal

At the Louvre (earlier this week), my travelling companion and I saw a man running away whilst a police officer on a bicycle was giving chase.

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Asked me for money

zjill 24 Apr 2018 2 0

This happened to me in Paris. Didn’t pickpocket me tho. I said no it’s not mine. She asked me for money … I’m a single mom I was with my 2 young kids. I didn’t want any issues I handed her a couple of Euro and started walking away. She complained about the amount. I just laughed and kept on going!

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Finally someone attempted it on me

Michael 5 Feb 2017 2 2

Decided to walk from the Eiffel Tower to a nice cafe we enjoy. Being late afternoon the wide gravel path between the Sein and Quai Branly was mostly deserted except for an elderly Roma woman who approached us and “found” one of those ubiquitous rings people seem to be losing all over Paris.

I have been aware of this scam for a long time, but have never had anyone attempt it on me before. I couldn’t help myself, but as soon as she picked it up and held it out to us I burst out laughing! We just kept on walking and the woman left us alone.

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