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Tag: Bologna
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…
Rental car scams in Italy
3 4How it works: Situation: there is no need to be paranoid as cases are usually isolated ones and not generalizable. However, you will need to know what to watch out…
Street pickpockets in Italy
9 14How 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…
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…
ATM skimming in Italy
0 0How it works: Situation: the vast majority of tourists would probably not fall for this but on the off-chance that you do, you need to know how to spot the…
Currency switcheroo in Italy
1 1How it works: Version 1: the Lira is the old Italian currency (in use till 2001/2), and the Lira 500 coin looks like the €2 coin. Hence, there are scammers…
Vacation rental scams in Italy
2 2How it works: Situation: this is not a situation unique to Italy but like in Spain, there have been quite a number of cases simply due to the popularity of…
Unofficial train ticket helpers in Italy
4 5How 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…
Airport baggage handler theft in Italy
1 0How it works: Corrupt baggage handlers either steal entire suitcases, or break into your luggage for valuables in it. Night flights with inter-continental connections are the favoured target, as thieves…
Public transport pickpockets in Italy
5 11How 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…
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…
Cattedrale di San Pietro catacomb scam in Italy
2 0How it works: You may encounter a tout at the entrance who will charge you €5 to enter the catacombs. Note: there are no catacombs here. Places to beware: Bologna:…