I thought i would share a horrifying experience happened with me in Barcelona, and it entirely ruined my vacation. It seems the ploy is “fake police” trap tourists as if checking for ID and then to wanted to check wallets and often ask how much money you carry. They will then distract you and then rob your money. I was a victim in Barcelona and heard that it is happening in many european cities. See my experience below. Don’t answer or try to help anybody who comes to you asking for directions in a map and always carry only enough money with you, if you are a tourist.
It happened during late evening or 9 PM when i was walking from University along the Muntar through University of Barcelona from Placa de Catalunya centre, looking curiosly at the map and was walking. I was new to Barcelona and didnt know the streets well. When i was walking alone, i noticed something wierd. One guy asian looking guy went ahead of me, carrying a map and as if he also was lost and was making eye contacts with me. I looked at him and asked him you are also lost on streets and he began introducing me as italian, and we started talking. Soon, I had thoughts running in my mind that how this asian looking short guy became Italian.
Within a minute, one white guy little bit fat wearing blue jacket (in plain clothes, no police uniform), showed his badge and told us he was police, and asked to produce identity documents. I did show him my residence permit and i am a tourist here. He ignored the other asian guy, which i felt weird, because he is supposed to examine his documents. Then he demanded to show my wallet and how much i had cash with me, and he informed me that these streets are dangerous and most are involved with exchanging large sums of money for drugs. I had about €70 in my wallet but i kept €800 in a small envelope inside my pocket and he demanded i should show them. i did show to him and this guy dropped couple of 50’s and 100’s euro notes and i didnt realize that this was to distract my attention and he gave back the envelope with the dropped money. When i came back to my hotel, i realized that all the notes in the envelope was robbed and only the dropped notes were there inside my envelope about 150 euros and realized that these guys were “fake police”. I feel that one more was involved skinhead, who was watching silently standing near me. All these con artists were in plain clothes.
My suspicions became all true, after i read this story about a tourist who was robbed similar like me, a week ago.
See here:
http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_30605.shtml
I did not have the courage to go to police and report the crime and i admit that carrying more money was my mistake, and i shouldnt have been. It was that kind of day and i never got to sleep that day and never got money to pay the hotel bills. It was that kind of situation and honestly my vacation is over and i am bit afraid to come to Barcelona again.
Be very careful when somebody approaches you, asking for identification in plain clothes and insisting on money. Question them why they are not wearing uniforms and ask for proper identification, if need be dont be afraid to go to police station. Never never carry large money as a tourist in Barcelona. Avoid walking alone in dark streets where it isnt properly lit. This lesson i learnt in the hard way. I had to travelled to Italy, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and never had any problems.
Update: I was targeted the same way in Budapest, Hungary for the 2nd time . Luckily i didn’t lose any money this time.
1. Dont answer or try to help anybody asking for directions with a map.
2. Always carry only enough money with you. No carrying more cash in your wallet.
I noticed one thing in common, it seems they are targeting Asians/Americans during Fridays or weekends most probably. I was targeted on a Friday in Barcelona and now again a Friday in Budapest.
Dont talk to strangers and answer only to cops who wear uniforms. Guard your belongings and keep and eye for everything.
