Rosemary gift scam in Spain

Fortune telling scam in Granada, Spain

How it starts: a woman approaches a tourist and gives her/him a sprig of rosemary, grabs his/her hand and shouts out faked predictions for the person’s future.

Set up: the woman is very assertive and even violent, grabs the tourist’s hand, tells cliche stories and then loudly demands money, refusing to leave the tourist alone.

Places to be aware: Granada city centre, especially nearby the city cathedral.

What to do: don’t give any money, drop the rosemary on the ground and walk away as quickly as needed.

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My sister took it and they said it cost 10 euros

A similar thing happened to my sister and I when we went for a day trip out of Barcelona to Girona. It was near a cathedral and there were a few women standing around. They were holding out sprigs of rosemary and offering it to people.

As we walked past them, they smiled and said “hola” and offered my sister a sprig of rosemary. My sister took it and they said it cost 10 euros. Thinking it was nonsense, my sister threw the rosemary back at the woman, who became really fierce and started yelling and screaming at us.

We decided to walk away but they started chasing us. My sister turned around and screamed back at them and we walked on, never looking back. Thankfully the women stopped there!

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Rosemary scam in Spain

This happens quite often in Seville, but I’ve heard of it happening outside of cathedrals across the country of Spain. Usually older women will be standing outside the cathedral, seeking to capitalise on people’s good nature by pretending to bless you or convince you that the herbs they are holding have some healing properties.

What they really want you to do is take the rosemary so they can take your money. The frustrating part of this is that they can be very aggressive, similar to the bracelet scam that takes place in big European capital cities, they will try and force the rosemary upon you. When you take it in your hands so it doesn’t fall on the floor, they will chase you down until you pay them.

Do not approach or make eye contact with these ladies, try to avoid them if possible.

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Rosemary gift palm reading scam in Cordoba

My lovely wife and I were in Córdoba having a great time but Gypsies managed to split us both and with two different plants we’re trying to read our palms… then asking for money!!

Coins were not enough ! I was stronge enough to move on but by the time I was able to get to my wife much more had been taken! With 5 to 6 woman standing around her she felt handing the money over was the only way out!!

Just be strong and from the start tell them to “F” off ! A Big Loud NO! Will do!!

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