TOURIST SCAM in Florence, Italy!

[itsmebrittney-b]

*me walking around Florence with family* “Wanna see me cause a scene? Wanna see me do it again?”

[ivyblack]

Well, now I want to step on them like it's hopscotch.

[steampunkwilson]

I was in Florence recently... I saw one of these painting guys yell to the other that the police were coming, and he managed to scoop up his lot and sprint away in record time. Never seen another human move so fast in my life

[Justaperson]

As an Italian, thank you for bringing this to light! I had to personally help a woman when I took my fiancé to see my hometown, my fiancé told me to help the artist and I had to explain to her that no, it’s a scam and the “paintings” are usually just printings like they literally steal art and then use it to scam people

[ystacalden]

I thought the scam was going to be they had pickpockets take your stuff while you're distracted by the man yelling at you for stepping on his stuff.

[fortazeyesonly]

This is exactly what happened to me in 2019. I turned around to apologize, but my friend grabbed my wrist and practically dragged me through an alley to lose track of them. This is especially prevalent next to museums who have historic statues/fountains next to the museums.

[PinaColadas]

I just went to Italy a week ago and lemme tell you, these guys were EVERY WHERE in tourist areas 😂

[laiavalls]

This scam happens in Spain too. I've seen it in Barcelona, specially outside the train/subway station. They have tiny things sticking out of their rugs and if you step on them, they get pretty mad... They shout to intimidate you, mostly. But most of the time, these scammers, in Florence or Barcelona, are not from said place.

[melissahanks]

When we went a long time ago, they started braiding girls hair with embroidery thread, without being asked. They literally grabbed them and started braiding. Then demanded to be paid afterward. The girls were terrified.

[GingerBun]

this is actually pretty funny.
*leaves thing on ground
*shocked Pikachu face when someone steps on it

[thethe]

My German ass “you deserved my foot in your painting” 😂

[aleighb]

If I ever make it to Italy, I think I’ll be ok. I’m so clumsy, I always walk looking down instead of up anyways! 😂

[sanctuary]

I was in Florence for school during the less busy tourist season. These guys were everywhere! After seeing them for months on end they knew the students were onto them and left us alone. Omg they harassed the Chinese people who kept showing up for their guided shopping vacations.

[inescosta]

honest guide also covered this on his channel bc it also happens in Prague, Czech Republic

[marleee.]

people seriously come up with the most interesting/ridiculous scams...

like idk, for what reason (other than to scam someone obviously) would someone ever just think to themselves "hmm you know what's a good place to keep a valuable painting? Why, the middle of the street of course!"

[DiannaMoon]

This happens in Sicily too. You literally have to tell them off.

[karacoconutag]

When I was in Florence, I noticed a similar scam where people on the side of the busy streets would place their collections cup precariously close to where tourists were walking, and inevitably, someone would accidentally kick the cup of money over, feel guilty about it, and pick it back up along with adding more money to it. I was standing waiting for a friend for about 10 minutes nearby and I saw the cycle repeat three times.

[sophia]

I got back from Italy Sunday 😢, and they were everywhere. I honestly was tempted to step on them.

[bleachnbones]

A very important thing to note is how, while bracelet scammers are usually non confrontational (they may follow you around for a bit but they are very unlikely to start arguing and they'll eventually leave you alone), the guys doing the pictures scam are always more than one and can easily get loud and aggressive, both verbally and physically, so it's extremely important to spot them in time and be careful to avoid them altogether.

Oh, and obviously don't count on the cops to get your money back, they're just decorative elements that add a touch of blue to the city landscape, they know the scammers are there and they won't do any actual shit about it. Might scare them away for a bit though

[TheMaybebaby]

They do the same in Paris but someone drops what appears to be a ‘wedding’ ring and play a whole charade about being ‘jilted’. Just walk away people and be safe ❤️