Europe dominates list of top 10 pickpocket traps

**explorer** · October 10th, 2009 12:32 PM

[SIZE="3"]Travel Picks: Europe dominates list of top 10 pickpocket traps[/SIZE]

Fri Oct 2, 2009 1:41pm EDT

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Where there are tourists, there are people seeking to exploit them, with travel website TripAdvisor coming up with a list of the top 10 places worldwide to be especially aware of pickpockets.

"Not always a basic 'lift-and-run' operation, expert pickpocketing can sometimes involve more complicated scams," said Christine Petersen, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor.

"Travelers need to be aware of all kinds of tricks meant to distract them from their belongings while enjoying popular world attractions."

European cities dominated the top 10 list compiled by TripAdvisor's travelers and editors. Reuters had not endorsed this list:

1. Las Ramblas, Barcelona, Spain

Las Ramblas, the famous wide, pedestrian walkway full of life, music, and people at all hours of the day and night, is the perfect place to get your purse pinched.

2. Rome, Italy

With its ancient buildings, historical and cultural attractions, Rome is full of tourists admitting the Trevi Fountain or the Pantheon. It's easy for a pickpocket to lift a camera or purse with a quick snip of scissors.

3. Prague, Czech Republic

The beautiful Charles Bridge is lined with 30 baroque-style statues, as well as thousands of tourists who crowd its ancient stones each year, making a perfect recipe for pickpocketing. Before taking in the view of the Vltava River and the Prague Castle beyond, be sure valuables are strapped down.

4. Madrid, Spain

El Rastro fleamarket and the crowded metro are often cited as spots where unfriendly pickpocket schemes can put a damper on a visit to this beautiful city. Travelers should also beware that in museums, pickpockets can also prey on distracted tourists.

5. Paris, France

The City of Light draws enormous crowds from the base of the Eiffel Tower to the steps of Sacre-Coeur but enormous crowds can also be found below ground, in the city's metro system, where travelers should be especially cautious.

6. Florence, Italy

It is easy for tourists to be distracted by the majestic beauty of Michelangelo's David and the other awe-inspiring works of art and pieces of history all around Florence but when admiring Michelangelo's creation, or at its replica in busy Piazza della Signoria, be alert for pickpockets.

7. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires is a vibrant and culturally rich city with much to offer, from the famed Teatro Colon to the city's many distinct neighborhoods but if you are suddenly covered in "bird droppings" (likely mustard) and a "friendly" local happens to be standing by with napkins to help you clean up, beware.

8. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Don't be too taken in by the canals and the friendly, laid-back atmosphere - pickpockets have been known to take advantage of countless tourists in this enchanting city.

9. Athens, Greece

Whether visiting the Parthenon on the Acropolis, or anything else in this magnificent historic city, keep your bags close.

10. Hanoi, Vietnam

The capital of Vietnam has its charming Old Quarter, littered with monuments and colonial architecture, and the city also features 600 temples and pagodas, making it a beautiful and unique place to visit, but

**Horsepower** · October 10th, 2009 10:37 PM

Not surprising as European tourists have to bring a lot of money to such an expensive place.

in macro economics view of a Syndicate leader:

If a city gets one hundred thousand tourists every month, say, you get to rob 10% of that number, that's 10,000, then assuming each of them carries €100, that's € 1 Million in gross earnings.

That's €1M for just 10%.... and tourists rarely bring less than €100. So you have guaranteed annual earnings of more or less €12 Million per city.

Hmmm, so having a gang in Europe is lucrative... imagine if you control syndicates in 10 cities.

In the Philippines, you can apply the same calculations, although money has about 70x less value. hehehe.

**donbuggy** · October 11th, 2009 11:28 AM

http://www.spf.gov.sg/mic/2009/09062...pickpocket.htm

Arrest of Serial Pickpocket Thief

Police have arrested a 29-year-old Filipino man believed to be responsible for several cases of pickpocketing in VivoCity and IKEA Building. The arrest was made possible after an alert security officer, Mr Tang Eng Beng, assisted to detain the suspect yesterday afternoon.

On 18 Jun 2009 at about 8.08 pm, Police received report of a case of theft from person at IKEA Building, Alexandra Road. The victim had left her handbag unattended and discovered it missing shortly after. The culprit was subsequently identified through the CCTV's footage.

On 20 Jun 2009 at 2.05 pm, the suspect returned to IKEA Building and stole a wallet from a male victim. Unknown to him, his crime was observed by Mr Tang who had earlier recognised him from the CCTV footage. The suspect was immediately detained by Mr Tang.

Follow-up investigations revealed that the suspect was believed to be responsible for similar cases of theft in VivoCity. He will be charged on 22 Jun 2009 for Theft under Section 379 of the Penal Code Chapter 224, which carries a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment, or with fine or both.

Commander of Clementi Police Division HQ, Deputy Assistant Commissioner (DAC) of Police Ng Yeow Boon, commended Mr Tang for his vigilance and quick action which led to the arrest of the suspect. DAC Ng would also like to take the opportunity to remind members of public to take care of their personal belongings and to be wary of suspicious characters.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
22 June 2009 * 6.30 pm