Post: #26

I'm planning on renting an apt from airbnb. Should I be ok then? This is just ridiculous. These subhuman scum are terrorizing and ruining people's vacation and destroying the reps of certain countries.

Post: #27

(06-05-2015 04:16 PM)britchard Wrote:  This is one area where the UK and Ireland is miles ahead. Paris is awful, you can just sense what's up.

Agreed here, not only for pickpockets but for getting beatup or involve in a fight at 2 am.. Its impressive how much brits love to throw punches here and there after a few drinks..

Post: #28

In Russia/Eastern Europe, watch for gangs of Gypsy kids, esp at metro stations and other busy public venues. They used to 'swarm' obvious tourists ('begging' heh) and in the process relieve them of stuff. Once they get it, they scatter in every direction.

Post: #29

(06-05-2015 06:06 PM)thunder_god Wrote:  I'm planning on renting an apt from airbnb. Should I be ok then? This is just ridiculous. These subhuman scum are terrorizing and ruining people's vacation and destroying the reps of certain countries.

Yes, as long as it's not a flat on a bottom floor with big, easily accessible and breakable windows facing a deserted inner court yard or a deserted street at night.

Sounds improbable, and it is, yet I got exactly that once.

Be cautious, think ahead, don't be "the stupid American", and you'll be fine in most cases.

Post: #30

(06-05-2015 10:24 PM)LeeEnfield303 Wrote:  watch for gangs of Gypsy kids

Gypsy's are an issue all over Europe. Not only with pickpockets. Criminal beggar gangs, robbing and harassment.

At the end, crowed places always a festival for pickpockets.

Post: #31

Rome has serious pickpocket problems. They often wait near signs that say 'Beware Pickpockets' or 'Watch Your Wallet', as victims touch their pocket with their wallet inside upon seeing these signs, telling the pickpocket which pocket it's in.

Wearing pants with zipper pockets is immensely safer, as is not bringing a full wallet. You probably don't need three credit cards, an ATM card, 200 euros and three forms of identification and your student discount card every time you leave the hotel. Common sense will prevent most pickpocketing.

Post: #32

In my experience... Wherever you go..avoid dressing like a stereotypical tourist and you will be safe... pickpocketers target tourists 99% of the time.

Post: #33

Buy a pacsafe shoulder strap pouch. Put all your stuff in it. Wear it around your body. It has stainless steel wire throughout, including a mesh within the fabric, so it can't be cut open or pulled off you and you just keep your hand on it. It has locks that mean the zips don't open easily. I use this setup in Asia.

Keep backup credit card in a plastic sleeve under the foam in your running shoes.

Take a picture of your passport and the visa in it in case you get stopped by cops in a country which requires passport carry at all times. Email this to yourself.

In Asia, know how to speak a bit of the local language and smile so that dodgy cops give you a pass looking for "free range rude" (eg loud American tourists) instead. Don't let them put their hands in your pockets when searching you or they will plant stuff, pull the pocket out yourself.

Post: #34

Don't flash around with your valueables and you'll be fine.
Don't do stupid things like flashing around with your iphones,expensive cameras, wallets, credit cards in shady places. If you don't do any of those things the chance of getting pickpocketed is very little.

I have been drunk,stoned and wasted in shady places across half the globe and I have only been pickpocketed once. That was in Abkhazia and I honestly deserved it. I lost everything of any value. My phone,sunglasses,wallet,credit cards,cash,passport in a "non recognized breakaway republic".
I thought I was fucked bigtime, but to my luck that story had a happy ending. /thread-33887.html

In Russia someone slipped me a mickey when I also had everything on me. Some people found me passed out in the street. Nothing lost also that time.

During a new years eve in Vietnam I came back to my hotel wasted.
I forgot to lock the door to my room before passing out. I had my iphone and ipad charging.
When I woke up in the morning they were gone. The hotel manager and the police refused to write a report and said it was impossible that it had happened. Needed the report to get insurance money.

However, key things to remember.

- Don't be stupid and do obviously stupid things like walking with a fat wallet in you backpocket.
- Split the risk and never carry everything of value on the same time.
- Don't get wasted.
- Don't get too comfortable and think that nothing will happen to you.
- Back up everything, copy passport, different bank accounts, cash etc.
- Get a decent travel insurance that will cover your ass when unfortunate things happens.

Post: #35

I guess I've been lucky enough to have never been pick pocketed.

Just take your shirt off.. No one robs a guy that doesn't even have a shirt

Post: #36

Pickpockleting is often done by groups of several people, including lookouts. You get surrounded as if from both sides of train corridor,people start pushing, arguing with each other, or surrounded by a dozen or more beggar kids touching you. In between the sensory overload of physical contact in many places you don't noticethe wallet slipped out. Then the wallet gets passed toa group member on the outside of the group, so even if you notice it stolen, the person whotookit no longer has it, and you can't chase the person on the outside who is getting away because there are others blocking your path.

Under-clothing pouches that go inside your underware next to your balls are the only safe place.

Other scams involve flicking liquids,mud, shit,on your clothes,shoes, etc. then someone noticing and helping you clean it up. Again you don't feel the wallet removed because of the sensory overload.

Post: #37

(06-05-2015 05:01 AM)cascadecombo Wrote:  Living and traveling in Japan/Korea is going to make me a softie for these kinds of things.

I've lost my phone to have it returned, I've had friends lose their wallets to have them returned with all the cash in them. I've been at the beach with all my stuff sitting on a rock for anyone to steal but it remains safe for hours and hours with me never returning to the spot until the end.

Not the wisest thing to do, but I'll be damned if these countries don't make people soft. With that said, I'm surprised I don't hear more about Asians getting shit stolen from them more often.

A middle-aged Japanese lady-friend of mine was traveling on the train in Rome and a pregnant Gypsy lady lifted her wallet from her bag. She noticed before the thief could exit the train and raised a ruckus and the other locals on the train surrounded the Gypsy and wouldn't let her off until she returned the wallet.

One reason why Japanese stick to their tour groups in Europe is to avoid pickpockets and street scams.

Post: #38

If thieves tried to rob me and I caught them and punched them would I get arrested in France? It just seems kind of BS how the police have let this slide for so long. If this crap happened in North America, the thieves would get shot/stabbed/or the living shits kicked out of them.

Post: #39

The thing of be a good pickpocket or scammer is, that people don't notice it. What you mean with the police? Even if a country has a police force (and I guess every country has one - there is still crime.

Post: #40

Crowded areas are going to be the most common places where a pickpocket could get away with stealing something, I have not had any problems myself but do know people that have.

I would reccomend a money belt that you can wrap around your waist which to keep important documents and any backup money that you want to keep away but make sure it can't be seen through your clothing, you can even keep your phone in there too. Then just keep a bit of money with you in your pockets and go somewhere private to take the money/phone out if you need to. There is also an actual belt you can get which is actually a belt that you can put some notes in but its a little difficult to put money in and out of it.

The most important part is make sure you have everything insured incase something does happen, I think cities and tourist destinations will always have a leve of pickpocketing just try to make sure its not you by being aware

Post: #41

My brother was pickpocketed in Rome and he’s a big 6’3” guy. He was on a crowded subway train with his wife and kids. He was holding the ceiling bars with both hands, and when he got off the train his wallet was gone.

There’s little gypsy kids hovering around the ticket machines at many Italian train stations. When they got to within a few feet of me I would tell them to fuck off and they would walk away.

I’ve never been pickpocketed. London has a problem with them so I’ve always been pretty careful on my travels.

Post: #42

Photo Copy your passport/ documents, encrypt them & email them to yourself.

Large bills go in the coin pocket. Smaller bills at the ready go in the wallet. Wallet sits in the front pocket for two reasons. When I stroll through a plaza or other crowded place I simply put a finger on my wallet and I can feel its there through my pants. If I'm feeling extra paranoid I can always just jam my hand down my pocket. I am on the bigger side so I don't really have a problem with people getting in my space. However I once saw the sweetest old lady fingering through some loud bitch's gucci purse on the subway in BCN. At the time I was pretty wasted and found the whole thing amusing.

Also if you are ever in a situation where it's two vs one in a cramped space, or a gun is involved just give it all up. No amount of pride is worth your life. Time after time I have to tell myself this and I am scared that one day I will be in the wrong state of mind and challenge a would be mugger.

However, I've managed to dodge all my troubles so far by Avoiding, Evading, or Running.

Evading- using a tree to climb down a rooftop during a armed robbery at my hostel..shots fired. No one hurt... thank god, When the police responded they found countless empty bags of cocaine stuffed into the couches and beds from all the passing tourist and tried to fine everyone.

The good ol heel toe: Whether its a Machete v.s. me in Bogota or a wooden club v.s. me in Medellin both times my 200 yard sprint broke the sound barrier and got my silly ass home safe.

Most of this happened in SA and I tend to wander into some real shit holes.

Post: #43

(06-05-2015 04:02 PM)MikeS Wrote:  I've lived here for 38 years (and probably visited around 12-14 European countries, most West, a few East), carry my wallet and phone in my jeans/shorts side pockets during summer or usually in my jacket in the winter. Never been pickpocketed or robbed.

I think confidence and body language is everything. When you walk with a purpose, thieves will pass you by. A few tricks I've learned from my travels:

If using a map, cut and/or fold it in such a fashion that the area you need fits in the palm of your hand. Sprawling a big map out on the street is begging for trouble.

If using a smart phone or camera, hold it with two hands with a solid grip.

Keep larger bills in a jacket pocket or interior belt loop wallet. Keep small bills and coins in a side pocket. (Be careful if you take your jacket off indoors) Use rear pockets for paper or maps only.

If opened by a stranger on the street, instantly guard your valuables. Take a step back and evaluate. If they step toward you, end the conversation with authority and back away... they are trying to scam or steal from you.

Learn to say "no, thank you" in the native tongue. Also, "I don't speak English" in the native tongue works amazingly. My first night in Roppongi, Tokyo I walked to my apartment with my big ass backpack, getting constant harassment from Nigerians. I ignored them, dropped my bag and went back out. They all remembered me and tried to bullshit me again. I dropped a "iie, kekko desu, eigo ga wakatemasen" (No thank you, i do not speak english) to each one. After the first night they figured I was non-english speaker who has spent time in Japan, and they never bothered me again.

Post: #44

I always thought it would be a good opening for a youtube channel to scam the scammers


ie shitting in a bag or throwing it full of spiders etc to this guy below





I can think of plenty of fun things to stick in pockets on a subway (charged capacitors, sharp objects etc)

things could get ugly real fast if done to the wrong person though lol




imagine if you could somehow switch the drink on the black widow?
she woke up covered in flour etc





All the more awesome if you could do it in character (something like a Borat) in a non English speaking country

Post: #45

http://wayfarer.lifehacker.com/this-info...1619962811

good list of whats going on

Post: #46

(06-12-2015 03:54 PM)hedonist Wrote:  imagine if you could somehow switch the drink on the black widow?
she woke up covered in flour etc





All the more awesome if you could do it in character (something like a Borat) in a non English speaking country

Good youtube video. This is why when I have a random girl in my room, I never leave my drinks unattended. Beer bottles are good because I can finish one before going to the bathroom. If it's a glass of drink I'll also finish it before going to bathroom and pour a new one when I come back. I also either carry my wallet with me or quietly hide it while the girl is not watching.

I was never poisoned, but I did get some money stolen from my wallet by a girl when she was at my place.

Post: #47

Great video on the black widow! One could also lose a kidney....
I was in Spain for 6 months and had three incidents in Madrid during easter weekend - apparently the cops are off enjoying semana santa. I got pick pocketed outside the central bank building by some gypsies in broad daylight. Four of them were walking with a map unfolded and bumped into me - one of them pinched my wrist and the others jostled me - after the brief encounter - i realised they got my cash but not my wallet. The same night my wing man got in an incident. We were walking out of a bar near Estacion Sol at 3am A well dressed couple were walking towards us and the guy seeing we were anglo looking Shouts "manchester united" and extends his hand to shake my friends hand - he stupidly shakes his hand and ends up grappling with the spaniard who is now attempting to grab at his pocket. I turned back and ran at them ready to fight but they guy broke loose and appeared to be reaching behind his back for a weapon - we then bolted - leaving a loose cellphone behind. The next day, we were walking near banco espana again and saw the same gypsies at work - this time with a Older German couple. The german guy was pulling one by the hair and torquing her neck - they soon disperses eith the contents of the lady's purse.
In barcelona one of my classmates always carried a decoy wallet and was pickpocketed in an escalator bump and grind scam - the thief upon seeing that the contents were empty tapped my friend on the shoulder and gave it back to him.. I have been to enough rough cities and Spain takes the cake in this department.

Post: #48

Amsterdam. Fat African kid "bumps into me" on purpose and spills a bag with a white powdery substance. Then tries to convince me I need to pay him for the coke which just got ruined (Red-Light District 2002). I grabbed him around the collar, pulled him in close and said "I will fucking kill you". I pushed him away and realized it's just about to turn dark and I better get the fuck outta there in case the African was not alone.

Post: #49

I'm from Rome and I can tell you it's one of the most dangerous cities in Europe. I never got robben but I heard about it almost everyday. I suggest everyone that comes here to be very careful. the good thing is locals don't do it, but those gypsies and northern africans doing it they might get arrested but they're free the day after.

Post: #50

Budapest in the 90's, there would be gangs of kids waving sheets of cardboard, pretty agile fingers on those fuckers too.

How it would work would be one barely legal girl would stop you by lifting her top, even playing with her boobs, then half a dozen other gypsy fucks would swarm waving sheets of cardboard.
Punching the chick in the face and yelling "You better give her a double share tonight!" scattered the bastards, but even when I knew what was up I didn't notice my hotel key was gone until long after.

That was 20+ years ago though, the Gypsy problem has moved out of the Slavic & Balkan countries into more fertile rule bending real estate.