Anyone else been conned by spanish ladies selling single flowers?

[ilovemarkb]

Just returned from Callela (11 ladies) whilst shopping in callela (5 of us) we were approached by 3 spanish ladies, they each gave us a red carnation then asked for 1 cent, we then mooched in our purses for 1 cent, they cleverly poke their finger in your change compartment to help you find a 1 cent piece, little did we know that they very cleverly slip a finger in the note compartment secretly hooking out your notes. They managed to get 250 euro.s and my english ten pound note. By the time we realised what had happened they.d scattered. Is this an old scam and has it happened to you?

[Lakitu]

What on earth are you letting a stranger poke their fingers in your purse for?

I'm really sorry this happened to you :(

[ilovemarkb]

I guess we learned the hard way, it just happened so quick my sister gave then a euro but they gave her it back saying that they only wanted 1 cent, so they seemed genuine, we thought they were gypsies and didnt want a curse putting on us! We,re so angry!! Fortunatley we had insurance! It took us an hour to find a police station, had to sit and wait for 2 hrs for a police report, but did eventually get one. Arrrhhhh!!!! So frustrating!!! Please tell people about this scam who,re travelling to spain! julie

[vehelpfulguy]

>we thought they were gypsies and didnt want a curse putting on us!

Dont believe rubbish like that.

Thats exactly what these scum want you to think.

They are just thieves.

Next time just dont accept anything from them, or if they give it to you drop it on the floor.

[ilovemarkb]

thanks i certainly will!!!!

[JonnoGenie]

Yeah, hard lesson, but hopefully one you'll only have to get once.

Like, the 'gypsies' 'giving' you heather in London are also thieving scum. And the 'beggars' sitting on the high-street are crack or smack heads who use your money on drugs to kill themselves.

[thugulike]

It's not just Spanish ladies. In India a young girl asked my husband to change a dollar note for rupees. He didn't have any change and asked me to change it. I was reluctant but he insisted. I keep my purse in a zipped compartment in an across the body radley bag in front of my body. She asked again to change a euro note and we went through the same process. She took his wallet out of his back pocket a little later. I saw what happened and went hurtling down the station. She threw his wallet on the ground just as our train came in then she disappeared. His money and cards were intact but he was lucky. Never get your purse out for anything seems to be the answer.

[auntiebertie]

Also be aware of the beggars in Spain - they push a sheet of cardboard into your stomach for you to put money on, the cardboard acts like a tray but this then shields their other hand going to your handbag trying to nick your purse. Another trick I noticed was people acting drunk on trains (esp on the airport train) - you tend to move away, leaving your luggage unguaded - at the next stop they grab your suitcase and are legging it down the platform. I have travelled all over the world and unfortunately the only two places that anyone has tried to rob me has been in Spain.

[ilovemarkb]

thanks everyone!!! i.ll be ultra careful now and always x

[legend006]

Do you realise that 1 cent is worth less than 1 pence .
Beware of any stranger anywhere trying to get into your purse.

Forewarned is forearmed i guess.


DIDD THIS HELP?

[ilovemarkb]

yes it did? thanks!!