As soon as we emerged from the Charles de Gaulle Airport, a middle-aged lady approached me and my good friend and tried to communicate utilizing indication language. She was deaf, I thought, which was supported by the piece of paper on a clipboard that she showed us. I caught the words “deaf” and “petition,” as the lady handed a pen to my friend. As he was signing, I excused myself and took pictures of the airport for this blog. When I came back, the lady was already demanding money from a friend. as well bad for her, we didn’t have cash and our ticket to the city was already settled even before we exited the airport terminal.
It was one of the numerous tourist-targeted scams that have been rampant in Paris. four days later, as I was having dinner at a home of a regional friend, I was told that that many of them, if not all, are not truly deaf. They just pretend to be able to swindle gullible tourists. It’s just one of the numerous scams in the city. right here are five of them.
WHAT’S covered IN THIS GUIDE?
Petition Scam
The teen women group Scam
The String bracelet Scam
The Gambling game Scam
The Did-You-Drop-This Scam
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Petition Scam
Something I’ve seen first-hand, as specified above. but it’s happening not just in Paris but in other major European cities as well.
Their goal: To take your purse or phone, or force you into making a donation.
Their typical spots: Airports, train stations, and other touristy areas.
Their MO: Someone, commonly a lady pretending to be deaf, methods you and asks you to indication a petition. While you’re busy signing, somebody else is busy stealing your purse or phone. Sometimes, they don’t pick pockets but they force tourists into paying them money by exposing that the petition is actually a donation pledge.
In other cases, they method tourists at a restaurant or cafe. You see, the petition is typically on a clipboard and there’s a reason for it. It also blocks your view of whatever it is they’re trying to steal. one of my good friends who went to Paris last year was dining at a cafe when he was approached by a lady who put the clipboard on the table, where his smart phone was on. He didn’t recognize it promptly but when she chosen up the clipboard from the table, his smart phone was with it. He just failed to see because of the clipboard.
How to avoid: just disregard them when they method you. (But always make sure you keep an eye on your valuables whenever you go out of your hotel.) If they insist, tell them you understand what they’re trying to do.
The teen women group Scam
Something that another good friend experienced.
Their goal: To take your purse or cellphone by distracting you.
Their typical spots: Touristy areas, but my good friend was victimized on the train.
Their MO: They will distract you while one of them fishes your purse or phone from your pocket. exactly how they do it varies. Sometimes, they employ the petition-and-clipboard approach. other times, they will talk loudly, make funny movements, or one of them would pretend to pass out just to take your attention while one of them picks your pocket.
How to avoid: No way of catching your attention will work if your valuables are in a protected place. Make sure your purse or phone is in a hard-to-reach part of your coat or bag. I personally choose the inner pockets of my jacket or coat, which is commonly zipped up well so no other person can touch it.
The String bracelet Scam
Didn’t occur to me, but it’s something I have witnessed myself when I was at the steps of the Sacré-Coeur Basilica in Montmartre. I caught one on video. will submit it soon.
Their goal: To coerce you into paying for an overpriced string bracelet that you never wished to buy.
Their typical spots: Touristy places, but many common at the staircase leading to the Sacré-Coeur Basilica.
Their MO: You’re walking to the basilica when a guy with a bunch of string bracelets in one hand methods you. He will try to get your attention, many likely by asking you if you want to see a magic trick, by increasing a hand for a high-five, or by telling you that he’s providing you a bracelet for totally free (a GIFT!). Whatever it is, his objective is to wrap a string bracelet around your wrist. The whole thing takes time but they’re wonderful talkers. when you have the bracelet on, he will charge you for it and demand an extreme amount. If you refuse, the other string men will method and intimidate you into paying.
How to avoid: when they method you, just disregard them. They’re annoyingly persistent but they’re not truly gonna hurt you.
The Gambling game Scam
I found this on my recent trip to Paris, on the walkway of the road that links the Eiffel Tower to Trocadero.
Their goal: trick you into betting more.
Their MO: You see a group gathered around a guy playing a bit gambling game with three cups and a ballor a pea. a few of them make bets (on which cup they believe includes the ball). and if you stop and watch, one of them will most likely win to encourage you to location a bet too. but that man is an accomplice; he’s part of the act. In some instances, they will let you win at very first to get you to bet bigger next time. but it’s a losing game because they’re cheating.
How to avoid: disregard them when you see them in the streets. They’re not gonna force you to watch.
The Did-You-Drop-This Scam
Their goal: To guilt you into providing money in exchange of a great deed.
Their typical spots: Touristy places.
Their MO: A lady will get your attention and ask you if you dropped something, typically a ring. If you state no, she’ll tell you to keep it for great luck. and then she asks for money.
How to avoid: DON’T TAKE THE sound and just walk away.
Many of these scammers aren’t truly dangerous. They’re not gonna point a gun or a knife to get what they want, so the very best method to avoid them is to just disregard them and if necessary, tell them that you understand what they’re trying to do.
Also, aside from scams, pickpockets are all over in Paris especially in touristy areas, so make sure you always keep an eye on your valuables.
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