How To Spot And Prevent A Tourist Con

I have always been an exponent of befriending locals when on a trip because it brings opportunities for a more meaningful experience with an unfamiliar locality and culture.

However, this mindset should be coupled with alertness to avoid scams and swindling schemes that are usually run by con-artists lurking behind the cloak of an exceedingly affable and helpful local.

There is no hard and fast rule on identifying a straightforward offer of help from a bogus act to pull off a scam. The best that one can do is to be familiar with the different ploys that swindlers set up to carry out a con.

Every tourist should understand that con-artists are only interested in money or valuables that they can take from unsuspecting travelers. They make use of different ways to obtain or receive their spoils but their methods can be divided into 3 categories.

First, target oblivious victims and pick their pockets. Second, target vulnerable individuals and employ forcefulness and intimidation. Third, target naive and trusting travelers and con them into acquiring inexpensive goods for a very expensive price.

You have to understand that con-artists are experts on their chosen craft. Meaning, they are very good at what they do. So, don't expect to catch them while they are pulling a con because the odds are against you. What you can do instead is to avoid being a victim of one, first, by not looking like one of their targeted victims and second, by not falling into their traps.

Pickpockets will need to get near you to have access to your pockets and they put on some diversion to shift your attention on something else other than your valuables.

Here are some of the diversions employed by pickpockets. They throw something on the ground in the hope that you will bend down and pick it up so that they can easily pick your pockets or a person walks into you, followed by a profuse apology, whilst his or her accomplice picks your wallet and someone pretends to have found bird droppings or some form of grime on your clothes and he or she kindly cleans it up while at the same time feeling for your wallet and freely picking it up when found. To avoid pick pockets, wear a money belt. Thieves won't succeed if they have no wallets to pick up in the first place.

Avoid hold-ups or aggravated assault by not placing yourself in a situation that will bring about the opportunity. Avoid dark and lonesome alleys. Hang out only in public places where help is easily available and be wary of invitations to private and quiet places.

Good bargains are one of the highs of traveling. Unfortunately, theives know this too well and profit on the traveler's yearning for inexpensive local product to make some easy cash.

The scenario involves an innocent or a professional-looking individual who approaches travelers and offers free advice that a nearby outlet sells coveted merchandise (usually valuable jewelries or gems) for extremely discounted prices.

If the tourist shows interest, an offer for a free ride to the store follows and once you get there they won't let go of you until you have purchased something at a highly increased price.

Before you travel, equip yourself with valuable knowledge on common frauds and scams perpetrated in the areas you are visiting. You can easily identify a con if you know what signs to look for. Be as careful as you would at home in protecting yourself. Being a visitor does not give you special imunity from thieves!


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