Scams To Watch Out For In Barcelona and Advice To Avoid It Happening To You! Part 1
Posted: Tuesday, May 20, 2008
by David Brydon
BCN Rentals
Here are some scams to be aware of in Barcelona , and my tips for not being the next one it happens to! Tourists are often easy prey for the scammers and thieves in Barcelona . Read here to inform yourself of the common ones and how to avoid getting caught out.
3 cups. This is usually up and down las ramblas (in front of Burger King and sometimes further down) and is actually run by Romanian mafias who work in groups. Stop and look 5 metres up and down to where the action is and they have look-outs who are watching out for the police. It's amazing the amount of tourists that still get scammed. The new one is that that they do actually let you win! It used to be that they would just double or quits, take usually 100 euros (2 x 50 notes) and then all disperse, but the new one is that they swap your notes for other currencies of a lower value. 50 soles from Peru is a very similar looking note/bill, and many have pocketed that thinking it's all gone their way. The council even hung banners to the lines of "it's a trick" on the lamp posts during a time, but it did not deter them.
Ketchup squirters. This is apparently a common trick in many a tourist attraction and Barcelona is no different. It happened to my uncle when he visited me about 5 years ago. They were in Parc Guell. Scam consists of the greatest ally of the scamsters distraction. What happened to my uncle was that the guys hid in the bushes and squirted ketchup/some liquid on their backs as they walked past. Seconds later they arrive with broken English "hello my friend" and produce paper towels and a bottle of water to help "clean" your jacket/backpack/shirt. Oh, and then they point out that your wife/friend/son has also got the nasty stains, so you clean her while I do you, cos you can't see, it's on your back. This is such an out of the ordinary experience, you're too busy thinking "where on earth did that come from, what did we have for dinner, what a nice man for helping me out" and then your wallet's gone. And maybe the camera.
Advice?! Be very suspicious of any unsolicited help. If someone approaches you offering to clean or dust you down, or whatever, just keep your wits about you and politely decline. There is no danger with these people it's usually always a crowded place and day-time, so don't panic they just want easy pickings, not the difficult job.
Map readers. This was actually on the news last year, and is done in groups of usually 2 often young girls. You need 2 hands to read the map, so one hand each per girl which APPEARS like it's just one of the girls. This leaves 2 hands below the map (good cover) to be able to rummage around in that backpack they saw you just put the camera back into after getting up from the terrace where you enjoyed the coffee or beer you just had!
Advice?! If you're in a particularly crowded part of the city (metro, main streets, bus stop, etc.) then keep your bag on the front of you. You may feel silly, and you may think you look silly, but check out the rest of the people you won't be the only one.
David writes about Apartments for rent, Barcelona and Cheap barcelona apartments.
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