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Italy
48 scams
Besides being home to the most number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites globally, Italy also offers delicious cuisine, trendy fashion, stunning coasts, lakes, mountains and more!
Unfortunately, huge crowds of tourists have also attracted opportunists who rip tourists off with some well-polished petty crime and scams.
Note: vast majority of trips are trouble free and there is no need to be paranoid. That said, it always pays to be aware, careful, and prepared.
Emergency numbers
- Emergency number in Europe: 112
- Police: 113
- Fire: 115
- Ambulance: 118
Travel resources
Italian suit scam in Italy
8 6How it works: Opening: a well-dressed man who speaks English approaches you while in his car to ask for directions. He then asks where you from and claim to have…
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Street pickpockets in Italy
8 12How it works: Version 1: they work in a gang – one onlooker, one blocks, pushes, distracts, or engages you, one grabs and the final hides the loot under a…
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Taxi scams in Italy
8 13How it works: Tricks: charging a flat fare instead of using the meter (except when going to and from the airport); rigged meter; taking a longer route. Note: some charges…
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Flat tire scam in Italy
7 2How it works: Version 1: while driving, a motorist asks you to pull over, indicating a flat tire. Once you get out and are distracted, an accomplice enters your car…
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Fake car crash in Italy
7 4How it works: Drivers of old cars intentionally bang into your car so as to claim damages. Places to beware: Naples Pisa What to do: Stay alert and make sure…
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Shopping scams in Italy
6 2How it works: You will find fake designer products peddled at markets and touts at tourist attractions. These aren’t unique to Italy, but if you are caught with one, you…
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Ticket touts in Italy
6 1How it works: Opening: a scammer posing as a tourist claims to have a skip the line ticket which starts in a few hours’ time. However, something cropped up and…
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Shell game scam in Italy
6 0How it works: Opening: To win, you bet which one of three cups contain a ball (or three shells containing a pea; or three cards containing a queen), after they…
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Rome gladiators photo scam in Italy
6 2How it works: Situation: despite bans in 2015 and 2017 and a law in 2017 fining anyone dressed as a historical figure for photos/video up to 400 euros, these charlatans…
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String bracelet scam in Italy
6 11How it works: Version 1 (standard): tout asks if if you want a “friendship bracelet” or “friendship ring”. If you say yes, a string/bracelet will be tied so tightly around…
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Petition charity scam in Italy
6 3How it works: Opening: you may be approached to sign a petition such as for the deaf and mute charity (sham organization) or a petition against drugs. Set-up: if you…
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Unlicensed tour operators, guides in Italy
5 4How it works: Situation: it is estimated there is a large black market of tourism services in Italy, which has been growing not from a year ago, but for the…
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Free rose scam in Italy
5 3How it works: Couples are targeted. A tout first compliments the lady’s looks and then passes her a rose. If she accepts, he will hound the husband/boyfriend for money. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHg-FBNXQu4…
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Public transport pickpockets in Italy
5 10How it works: Version 1: one blocks you at the door (pretends to tie shoe laces/drop something), the other steals from behind and slips to a third who escapes, and…
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Snatch thefts in Italy
5 8How it works: Two versions: strike and run; distract and grab. Possible scenarios: Streets: bikes/mopeds riding past, with a pillion rider doing the snatch. Market: snatching from behind you, then running…
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