The BIGGEST Tourist SCAMS in Europe, That Tourists STILL Fall For

Are you heading to Europe for your next vacation and not sure what to expect? Well aside from seeing the Eiffel Tower and the gondolas in Venice tourists need to watch out for some common tourist scams that take place all over Europe. Some cities are more popular for pickpockets like Barcelona while others have people that try and give you things for free, but then ask for a donation like in Milan or Rome. Here are some of the most common tourist scams that tourists to Europe have to deal with.

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Copyright Mark Wolters 2023

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[mattia]

1. Watch your pockets and bags when in the subway/metro.

2. Say no to people giving you stuff for free on the street

3. Say no to people begging for money

[Alan]

Got my pocket picked by two women, one with a baby in a pram, on a train in Madrid. My wallet was taken, I only realised this as they got off the train. I pulled the emergency cord, got off the train and chased them down the platform yelling for the police. I got my wallet back, nothing missing, sometimes it pays to make a lot of noise.

[eliskakordulova]

Glad you mentioned the tying a string around your wrist thing, happened to me in Milano once. These people annoy the heck outta me. Especially charity scammers. Some lady stopped me on Westminster bridge once, trying to get money for some kids in need or a kid charity. I kept telling her no, i dont have any etc. She went on, saying cmon it's the children! I told her i hate kids which finally convinced her to let me walk through.

[chefevans]

As a retired American living in Italy, I respect Mark for pointing out the beggar scammers. People tend to criticize you for not giving to beggars - until it's their turn. If you make the mistake of giving to beggars, you are marked and they will follow you, find you and harass the hell out of you. Can't wait to have a drink with Mark and his wife. Keep the great content coming!

[Kraffty]

The petition scam happened to me in Paris. They were asking for a signature to help local children and donations. I proceeded to give the loose change in my pocket, and they asked if I could donate more. I told them no, and at that time, a local security officer showed up and shooed them away. He told me in his best English, "Please do not give money to anyone because it's a scam." I thanked the officer, and for the rest of my trip, I was on high alert. Also, watch out for the people playing what looks like board games on the sidewalks, and they invite you to join and play with them. Total scam artists

[FireHaxrd]

My favorite: When a stranger comes up to me and asks in English, "Do you speak English?" is to reply "No I don't" in English

[DanetteSWhite]

Thanks for the tips. Being from New York, I'm always on guard. I don't like anyone too close or behind me.

[larareed]

I had the ticket scam happen to me in Milan years ago when I was in college. I was getting a ticket for a train when two women approached me and asked if I wanted help. The first started touching my screen. I told her I was fine and I knew where I was going. I was holding my purse close to me as the other woman was on the other side looking for an opportunity to go though it while I was distracted. I was polite, but firm. I purchased my ticket and walked away from them. You have to aware of your surroundings at all times.

[jonsmith]

Have a photo copy of your passport, if it does get stolen it can be a big help at the embassy when trying to get emergency documents

[Peizxcv]

In Northern Italy for 2 weeks back in September 2022. 2 middle eastern guys tried to pickpocket my father’s back pocket and 2 black guys on 2 separate occasions tell me my Adidas shoes is cool. This was all in Rome while the other cities only have gypsy beggars

I don’t understand why Europe is so crime ridden versus East Asia

[oldtop]

Sage advice. I learned to keep an eye peeled for kids, and especially if there was an older woman begging nearby. One or two will beg, and the other kids will pick your pocket and take off like a rabbit through the crowd. I saw this happen in a couple of countries.

Some of the same stuff happens in the US btw. In Vegas folks will use CDs instead of flowers and push them on you - NEVER grab one from them.

[jurgenkoks]

with the people who bother you with trying to sell you something on the streets or on the beach ive learnt to just say: "I already purchased one". if they dont get it you say it again and leave or if you are stationary turn away from them, this has almost always worked for me.

[bernardopena]

I have to say I had an extremely unusual interaction happen to me when I got off the Roma Termini in Rome Italy last week and was walking the streets to my Hotel near the Forom. I was in business casual attire and had my bags and a random car pulled up by me with a older "business" looking man in a suite. Like a CEO. He showed me a tourist map of Rome and asked me where I can fine such place. I told him I was a visitor to the city. He then started small talk and said he worked for Ferrari and was in a business trip in the city. He than offered me a wrist watch as a gift for me which caught my attention- the catch however was that his credit card was not going through and that he wanted me to get into the car with him and make some purchases that would be reimbursed by Ferrari and the watch would be my "gift". I nearly ran away. Lol I just got in Rome and already was singled out as a American tourist.

[smckenzie]

Also, some restaurants in Paris/France will have lower prices on their French menu and higher prices on their English menu.

[DM-hdxm]

Thank you Mark, I’ve experienced all of the above in Florence and Venice recently

[bernardopena]

I Just came back from my first flight outside of the United States. Yout videos were a big help. Went to Rome and Napoli, Italy. I took a chest bag where I kept everything, nothing in my pockets and backpack was back in my hotel. I saw several tourist traps at the Roman Forum at work- the "what time is it on your watch?" Which I avoided, however later on the guys partner shoved a "free bracelet right into my hand" as a "gift" which I was refusing and he become more consistent and urgent that I take the gift. I became paranoid that his partner my cut my bag straps and run so I kept looking over my shoulders- after a few minutes the guy left with his free gifts for me and no donations for his so called family back in Nigera from me.

[WDH]

What you said about 'free' stuff. As a teenager spending a year abroad in Toulouse in 1979, I kept going back to the same city centre café four or five Sundays in a row for breakfast because I seriously thought the croissants placed on the table were on the house ! They must have realised after a while because one Sunday I did get asked to pay for the croissant before I'd finished chewing the first mouthful. It's a story that had my then French girlfriend's family in stitches ...

[solracer]

In 2013 we needed to take a taxi from Versailles to Paris (yes I know there are cheaper options but this was a special case). The taxi driver had quoted us €50 for the ride but still started the meter. When we were almost to the hotel he realized that the direction of the street the hotel was on had been reversed requiring a detour of 5-10 minutes. To my surprise when the meter hit €50 he turned it off because he said it was his mistake. When we got to the hotel I twice offered him a tip and he refused both times because he felt he had let us down by making the mistake! So even in Paris you can have a good experience with a taxi driver!

[matisa]

I love this channel I've been in 6 different countries in Europe and I always check you videos for advice.

[MadHatterND]

Watch out for the colorful wristbands. When in Milan, some guys will put a nice looking wristband on you and expect you to pay for it, even after you said no.