All it takes is a moment of inattention to fall into a scammer's trap. The "rose scam" is a scheme that appears in various parts of the world. Tourists often realize too late that they've been tricked.
A TikToker recorded an attempted scam in Italy. What should you watch out for when traveling?
Beware of the 'rose scam' when you're exploring Italy
- the creator wrote in the video description. This is a common trick used by scammers targeting unsuspecting tourists. The scammer may drop a rose at your feet, and out of courtesy, you pick it up, but you'll be forced to pay for it. As soon as you touch it, you're caught.
It’s not just the TikToker who fell for it. Many users in the comments shared similar stories on TikTok.
People saying to just put it back and walk away have clearly never experienced it. I did that and was chased all the way to a restaurant. He harassed me until I gave him $10.
This happened to me. I kept refusing, but the woman kept insisting, so I took the rose. She begged for money, said she was poor and pregnant. I said I didn’t have any and walked away, holding the rose. She followed me, hitting my shoulder and shouting. Eventually, she got angry, snatched the rose back from me.
It happens in Poland too
one user wrote.
Anyone can become a victim of a scam. Increase your safety while traveling by following these tips:
It's better to be safe than sorry. To make your travels safer, consider these tips:
- If someone tries to hand you a gift, politely refuse and ignore them.
- Keep valuable items in a waist pouch worn under your clothes or consider buying an anti-theft bag.
- To prevent phone theft, use a phone case with a strap that can be worn over your shoulder or wrist. It's also a good idea to install a tracking app that allows you to remotely lock your data in case your phone is lost.
- Be wary of staged situations, such as a sudden collision with another person. Scammers often use this trick to steal items unnoticed. Stay alert if a stranger seems overly "helpful." Keep your distance, especially if you feel pressured or rushed.
- Be especially vigilant in crowds. Keep your belongings close, but never at your side or back.
- When going to a bar or restaurant, be cautious with your drinks. To avoid having something dangerous added to your beverage, consider using a universal drink cover that you can take with you anywhere.
