Florence

Scams in Italy

Milan Piazza del Duomo

Ticket touts in Italy

  6   1

How 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 in Venice

Shell game scam in Italy

  6   0

How 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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Milan metro red line

Public transport pickpockets in Italy

  5   0

How 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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Termini Railway Station

Snatch thefts in Italy

  5   3

How 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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Piazza del Popolo

Free rose scam in Italy

  5   2

How 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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Milano Centrale Railway Station

Unofficial train ticket helpers in Italy

  4   3

How it works: Opening: At crowded train stations, there are unofficial “ticket helpers” who help tourists buy tickets. Set-up: Version 1: for a simple task, they will ask for an…

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Roadside cafe at Amalfi Coast

Restaurant, café, food stall scams in Italy

  4   2

How it works: Situation: Most food places are fine, it’s generally just a few bad eggs around touristy areas that spoil it for the rest. Set-up: Version 1: a separate…

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Leaning Tower of Pisa

Parking scams in Italy

  4   4

How it works: Version 1: at the San Siro stadium in Milan, unofficial parking attendants will direct you to park at a distance away from the real car park. A…

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Drinks in Italy

Would you like a drink bar scam in Italy

  3   1

How it works: Opening: Version 1: a tout offers you a free ticket to a club. Version 2: a scammer posing as a fellow tourist approaches you on the streets…

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Street in Rome

Bird poo scam in Italy

  3   0

How it works: Someone spills a white liquid resembling bird poo on your clothes or jacket. Next, strangers appear out of nowhere to help you clean it. While you are…

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