Empty pockets instead of holiday excitement: what criminal traps should be avoided abroad? | Business

Gytis Matiukas, head of the claims administration department of the insurance company ERGO, says that criminals often have well-trained technicians and often operate in an organized manner, so it is important not to relax too much and take the necessary precautions even during the holiday season.

They pretend to be tourists and ask for help

The more famous and impressive the attraction, the more tourists who want to see it. And wherever they are, there are thieves and crooks ready for dirty work. The main tourist attractions and streets of Barcelona, ​​Rome, Paris or many other cities are teeming with thieves. They look for the right opportunity to steal tourists’ wallets, phones or other valuables, and they also try to create such opportunities themselves.

“Pickpockets have a wide variety of tactics – from initiating close contact by pushing through a crowd of people to pretending to be other tourists asking for help, sellers of various trinkets, activists offering to sign some kind of petition. Their goal is one – to direct the victim’s attention and get as close as possible to him. There are frequent cases when a person who has become the target of thieves is accidentally bumped into and then attacked to apologize.

An unsuspecting person can also be doused with some kind of drink. Again – immediately followed by an apology and an attempt to “help” – clean clothes. Such criminals often operate in groups, and while one is diverting attention, others are cleaning their pockets or backpacks. It is important not to forget that many pickpockets are true professionals and are able to steal valuable items in an instant, before the victim even has time to realize what has happened”, emphasizes G. Matiukas.

Flash robberies are becoming more popular

According to the expert, thieves also actively work on the beaches. According to him, a ball kicked especially near the vacationers, a throwing plate thrown down can serve as a cover for theft. Thieves are also looking for things left unattended by bathers or sleeping vacationers. Criminals are often informed about them by prearranged various signals by their accomplices selling various things on the beach or simply pretending to be merchants.

“What’s more, in European cities, lightning-fast robberies have also become popular recently, in which groups of people, often with scooters or electric scooters, suddenly arrive. Generally applied to persons wearing expensive watches or jewelry. Tourists are often the victims who are looked after in advance and watched for a while,” warns the representative of ERGO.

Gives but demands payment

No less than thieves, fraudsters of all stripes seek to take advantage of tourists’ lost vigilance. They are also abundant in popular tourist spots. A classic of this genre are merchants offering or giving away something to try, try on, or demonstrate for free. Their friendly interaction ends when the victim wants to return the souvenir he picked up. The fraudsters then demand payment for it.

“Such swindlers often force various trinkets or souvenirs into the hands of tourists, offer to show “friendship” bracelets on the hands of passers-by. When it is on the hand, it is insisted or even demanded to pay for it. So it is best to ignore such merchants or “donors” and not take anything from them. Care should also be taken when photographing exotic animals owned by individuals. You may also be required to pay for this, even if the owner initially allows or even encourages you to take pictures of your monkey or parrot,” says G. Matiukas.

According to him, one should also not be tempted by lotteries and games offered in various popular tourist spots, during which it is possible to easily win money or other prizes. In order to lure gullible tourists, scammers use accomplices who are incredibly “good” at the game and easily “win”, thereby encouraging others to try their luck. I wouldn’t hesitate to guess that it ends up being lost money that you have to pay to participate in such a game.

It is important to develop the instinct of self-preservation

Although pickpockets, fraudsters and other criminals are a lurking danger for tourists in many countries and cities, according to G. Matiuk, a general instinct for self-preservation and caution can help avoid problems. According to him, it is also worth looking into the specific direction of travel and the possible dangers associated with it, prevalent fraud schemes.

“The general rule is to be extremely careful in places where people gather and in tourist attractions, as well as in stations and subways. In such places, you should observe your surroundings, if possible, keep wallets or other valuables in your inner pockets, carry backpacks in front of you rather than on your back. For travel, it might be worth buying a wallet that can be hidden under your clothes.

You also need to consider the need to have all your money and bank cards with you. It is best to bring only as much money to the city as you plan to spend with it. All other belongings should be left at the hotel – of course, if it is reliable and safe. In some countries and cities, it is recommended not to wear expensive or expensive-looking jewelry, watches, and even to choose clothes that do not stand out,” notes G. Matiukas.