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I didn't know about the scam: http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/articles/paris-gold-ring-scam.htm http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/articles/paris-gold-ring-

I didn't know about the scam: http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/articles/paris-gold-ring-scam.htm http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/articles/paris-gold-ring-...

danso 10y ago
Yeah that's it, and there are several variations. I know it seems easy to just say no to buying a stupid ring, but it's much, much easier to not even open that door because, from what I've heard from a friend, they will just so aggressively be in your face that giving them even anything will seem worth it after the scene they create. I know pre-googling a country sounds so tech-bubbley a tactic, but that scam is not at all I would of anticipated so I'm glad I stumbled on it. (note in the link above, the writer says it happened to her 3 times in an hour. I had it happen one right after another, as if the second/third person didn't see me push the first one aside. So it's not just an Asian thing, I was just saying the rate that I perceived is how I empathize with being stereotyped at a quick glance)
varjag 10y ago
I remember a different variation from the 1990s: a wallet instead of the ring, and an offer to split the cash. While you talk with the baiter, the "owner" shows up saying you stole it and threatens with police or just hints a violent payback. The baiter then begs the victim "we both" have to pay the "owner", or else. There has to be a site somewhere listing them all.
- sqeaky 10y ago
  "Oh well we better contact the police and have them sort this out" pulls out phone and dials the local equivalent 911 before waiting for a response. Any responsible traveler should have this number memorized for where they are going an be sure they get a phone that works in their destination.
  - varjag 10y ago
    It's clearly possible to get out of, just as most scams like these are based on combo of intimidation and greed. You just have to stand your ground. Outright mugging is a whole different thing and typically less subtle.

I didn't know about the scam: http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/articles/paris-gold-ring-scam.htm http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/articles/paris-gold-ring-...

danso 10y ago

Yeah that's it, and there are several variations. I know it seems easy to just say no to buying a stupid ring, but it's much, much easier to not even open that door because, from what I've heard from a friend, they will just so aggressively be in your face that giving them even anything will seem worth it after the scene they create. I know pre-googling a country sounds so tech-bubbley a tactic, but that scam is not at all I would of anticipated so I'm glad I stumbled on it. (note in the link above, the writer says it happened to her 3 times in an hour. I had it happen one right after another, as if the second/third person didn't see me push the first one aside. So it's not just an Asian thing, I was just saying the rate that I perceived is how I empathize with being stereotyped at a quick glance)

varjag 10y ago

I remember a different variation from the 1990s: a wallet instead of the ring, and an offer to split the cash. While you talk with the baiter, the "owner" shows up saying you stole it and threatens with police or just hints a violent payback. The baiter then begs the victim "we both" have to pay the "owner", or else. There has to be a site somewhere listing them all.

sqeaky 10y ago
"Oh well we better contact the police and have them sort this out" pulls out phone and dials the local equivalent 911 before waiting for a response. Any responsible traveler should have this number memorized for where they are going an be sure they get a phone that works in their destination.
- varjag 10y ago
  It's clearly possible to get out of, just as most scams like these are based on combo of intimidation and greed. You just have to stand your ground. Outright mugging is a whole different thing and typically less subtle.