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Spain
31 scams
With superb food, impressive monuments, magnificent churches, medieval towns, beautiful beaches and colourful festivals, what’s not to like about Spain?
However, the country is also home to two pickpocket havens – Barcelona and Madrid, and one has to be careful to avoid petty crime and tourist targeted 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
- European emergency hotline: 112
- Ambulance: 061 or 112
- Fire: 080 or 112
- Local police: 092
- Tourist helpline: 902 102 112
Travel resources
Street pickpockets in Spain
7 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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Bird poo scam in Spain
7 5How it works: Opening: someone spills a white liquid resembling bird poo on your clothes or jacket. Next, strangers appear to help you clean it. Set-up: while you are distracted,…
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Petition charity scam in Spain
6 0How it works: Version 1: you are asked to sign a petition. On the form, you see several other entries (fake – there to make it seem credible). Signing basically…
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Electronics bait and switch scam in Spain
5 0How it works: Opening: You may be tempted by shops which advertise electronics (e.g. iPad) at good prices. If you try to buy, you will be asked to fill in…
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Pea game scam in Spain
6 2How it works: Situation: also known as the trilero game, to win, you bet which one of three shells contain a pea (or which of three cups contain a ball),…
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Taxi scams in Spain
6 3How it works: Version 1: charging an inflated flat fare instead of using the meter, or adding bogus surcharges (e.g. luggage fee). Version 2: you hand over a 50 Euros…
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String bracelet scam in Spain
6 1How it works: Opening: a group of African women shakes your hand and begins tying a string around your wrist, seemingly for free and as a sign of friendship. Set-up:…
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Rosemary gift scam in Spain
6 4How it works: Opening: a gypsy woman offers you a small rosemary plant. If you take it, they will grab your palm and pretend to read it like a fortune…
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Snatch thefts in Spain
5 9How it works: Two versions: strike and run; distract and grab. Possible scenarios: Bike/moped: riding past with a pillion rider doing the snatch. Bar, restaurant: stealing unattended bags/valuables on the…
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Public transport pickpockets in Spain
5 3How it works: Situation: pickpockets love to target large, connecting metro stations as they can escape to other lines, as well as lines which tourists frequent. Version 1: one blocks…
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Fake police in Spain
4 1How it works: Version 1 (counterfeit money): a first scammer posing as a tourist asks you for directions. Next, two fake officers appear, claim that the first guy is known…
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Dancing cartoon cutout scam in Spain
4 0How it works: Opening: along the streets, you see paper cartoon character cutouts dance as music is played from a cassette player just beside. Touts, with PhDs in bullshitting, will…
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Vacation rental scams in Spain
4 3How it works: Situation: Just in late 2018, James McAvoy, who acts as Professor Xavier in the X-men movies avoided losing $13k in this scam and brought it to fore….
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Restaurant, food stall scams in Spain
3 3How 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: some restaurants…
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Counterfeit bill switcheroo in Spain
3 1How it works: You pass the cash to a waiter/vendor, he disappears and reappears again telling you that the note is counterfeit (he has swapped it) and asks you to…
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