Barcelona SCAMS: Tips For Avoiding Crime and Pickpockets in Spain.

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On this week's episode, I show you the most common scams to look our for when visiting Barcelona, Spain. Many of these swindles are also found throughout other parts of Europe as well. This video is designed to help you stay safe, and ensure you have the best time in this beautiful city!

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[streetmagikesp]

I’ve been all my life living in Barcelona, and as a citizen, I can give you some tips:
-Watch your things, but don’t overprotect them. Just be aware where they are, but don’t stand on the underground hugging your backpack like you are carrying a million dollars with you.
-Most of the robberies are committed in the underground or railway. Casually watch your bag or backpack when you are traveling, but don’t try too hard
-Don’t be scared of street performers that have real talent. They are just musicians or artists trying to show their work. Anyway it’s a great tip to still watch your belongings.
-Enjoy this city, and try to know as many citizens as you can. Have fun and talk to a lot of people. Everyone here is helpful and nice. Just make sure that if you meet someone you don’t know go to a very busy place.
Finally, don’t be afraid to travel. Time is limited and live is short. Last but not least, you will always be welcomed in our city!

[GilluindilG]

As an experienced traveller I would add one more advice: if you don't look wealthy, you will not be targeted by the scammers and pickpockets. It works for us every time. ;)

[marioidoatelarequi]

As a former security officer in Barcelona subway I must say that you just delivered a quite good tips. It's all about applying common sense, being cautious and trust no one. Be careful with having too much alcohol (lose control) specially in areas with hookers around mainly in Ramblas area at night. Golden rule: Never confront anyone in case somebody is trying to assault you or something worse and call the police (dial 112). In case is inevitable, defend yourself, run to a safe place and dial 112. That's it, same rules I used when I went to the States and worked good for me. Enjoy your time in Barcelona, such a wonderful place to visit.

[MrJeanNunes]

when i went to barcelona a guy approached me in the metro and asked for a lighter. i found the fact that he was smoking in a non smoking zone quite interesting so i innocently decided to hand him the lighter. he then proceeded to thank me with a hug and a little dance. luckily, a guy that was walking next to us at the same time came closer and said “he took your phone”. i ran like crazy shouting “police, police” and got to a bifurcation. heard someone saying he had taken the right path and instinctively followed it but then i heard dissonant voices saying the opposite. in less than a second my mind actually processed that the one person saying to go to the right was probably with the thief and when i came back to the second corridor the filthy thief was coming back running in my direction. thankfully i was able to grab him by the coat and get my phone back, but only because i was extremely lucky

[joshowen]

Never bring the passport with you an the streets. You will perhaps never need to show an ID, but if you need so, just bring a photocopy with you. Also have a photocopy of your credit card AND have with you the phone number to call to block it. And keep everything in a quality belt bag with a thick solid strap to it, purses are at risk, they can cut through them from behind. NEVER stop to talk/argue/help/answer/greet with anyone unless you want to talk with someone of our choice.

[pennyking]

When we were in Europe my husband turned down every offer one of these scammers. he threw roses, wrist straps, light up balls, and other items on the ground when they wouldn't take their "free" gifts " back.
They would curse in a foreign language but who cares.
When they would come up to us he would yell " go away" That worked a lot.

[Joe-fnmi]

What I hate most about scammers, is that they ruin genuine human contact. Like, I'd love it if some dude jumped in a picture and we had this quick, spontaneous back n forth and went on our merry way. But now, I would have to block it from happening - regardless of their motive.

[emmamartin]

I’ve been to Barcelona many times and everything he’s saying is true to the last word

[michaeldemone]

My wife and have been to Europe many times. Spain Italy France Germany and UK.
His advice is pure gold. We have many attempts with most of these scams and never been taken. Have learned through experience. Exactly as he explains.
This video should be a training video for anyone visiting anywhere in Europe for the first time.

[SamMiCor]

If you really want to avoid any of these problems the best thing you can do is come to visit Japan instead. I personally have dropped my wallet with over $2, 500 and it was actually taken to a police station, money untouched. I know, unbelievable to some... but true!

[lailasilvaxo]

I currently live in Barcelona.. everything he was saying is true, foreigners get treated like money magnets here.

[VlumVon]

Id like to add one more from a personal experience. I was waiting for a train (not Metro) from BCN to Sitges. There were only a few people on the entire platform and i saw 3 people who were standing/sitting quite apart from one another. 2 were wearing plain street clothes and 1 was wearing a suit. But something was telling me these 3 people were a group. When the train arrived and the doors opened, there were these 2 British guys getting on the train and those 3 guys, with all the door they could choose, decided to follow the 2 guys, rushing and pushing them onto the train. I went and followed them and sure enough I saw one of them sneaked his hand into one of the guy's jacket pocket and took out his wallet. I quickly yelled at the guy and the Brit turned around and snatched his wallet back off of the pickpocket's hand. The trio stayed on the train and got off in the next stop but were giving me the dirty look the whole time. I accidentally bumped into the 2 guys later that night at a pub and they bought me a beer as a thank you. lol

[andrews]

I grew up in London and most of this is common sense to me, but this video should be compulsory viewing for anyone visiting a European city!
Don't get me wrong, Europe is generally very safe, but scam artists are very common. I am always shocked by how some visitors behave; having all their valuables on show, phones sticking out of their pockets, wallets in the back pocket, backpacks with valuables clearly accessible via zipped pockets.
Great video! Thanks for making this.

[dariushmilani]

And when you're in the metro wear your backpack back to front, meaning backpack is resting on your chest. 🤣👍

[musicman]

A few years ago, my wife and I went to Barcelona. It’s an amazing city with great architecture, art and amazing food! That said, pickpockets and shady people are everywhere and no matter what you do, they know you’re a tourist. We were followed by a couple of teenagers for several metro stations and were only able to lose them by pretending to go out of the train just to jump back in when the doors were closing. I would add to the video’s advices to split your cash into different pockets and always be aware of your surroundings.

[DoneeCat]

Literally such good tips!! I’m currently travelling in Barcelona and I was almost the victim of a pickpocket team of two men trying to shove flyers in my face on a side street near Las Ramblas. Thanks for the tips and all the great travel content 😊👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[michaellaw]

I was in barcelona at a irish bar off of la rambla .
Outside smoking and someone came up to me trying to hand out flyers for a concert . He gave me a flyer for the show and gave me a hug . I went back inside the bar and ordered a drink, that’s when I noticed my wallet had been taken !!!! Boom it was that easy

[auroramartinagranata]

I live in Barcelona, and I can confirm the scam related to “I’m lost, I need to use your phone”. This way stopped me, started to talk really fast to me in a perfect English, making up a story that didn’t make sense, and at the end asked to use my phone.

I told him several time to go to an hotel or a bar and use their phones but, not surprisingly, he ignored me.

I use my phone for work, in no scenario I will give my phone to a stranger 😌.

[quele]

I'm very tempted to just put a snake in bag and let them pickpocket me.

[khalidacosta]

I've been to BCN twice, once with a male friend and once with a female friend. I felt safe and nothing bad happened. This was over 5 years ago, so things might have changed. Travelled everywhere on the metro, went to all the tourist sites etc. Best tip I can give is, if you feel uncomfortable, do not hesitate in getting visibly annoyed and telling them to back off. Other tourists will notice and often step in to help, if not the local residents and legitimate business owners. All else fails, just call the police, that will make them run!