Tourist Scams in Italy: Avoid These Sneaky People!

[@KarlRock]

What tourist scams have you come across? Next, see scams I found across Europe kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYrUcmCogNiGmKM

[@igorjee]

10:50 The funny thing is that in Lovári Romani spoken by 10% of Hungarian Roma, 'rupó' means money. It comes from 'rup', 'silver'. 'Rupó' has been borrowed into the slang of some Hungarians together with words like (Anglicized spelling) 'shéró' - 'head', 'chór' - 'steal', 'chum(i)' - 'kiss', 'kam(ál)' - love, 'dikh' - 'look', 'pi(ál)' - drink, 'ja(l)' - walk, 'manush' - man, 'devla' - the Devil (originally God). BTW a group of Roma are called 'Chandrari' since they were silversmith. This lady looks Romanian Roma, not sure whether they use the same word. Maybe she did understand 'rupe' as 'money' :D

[@ricko3145]

Carl the Karen

[@mazi2646]

The bracelet scam happend to me in Paris when I was 16 🙃

[@TheMightsparrow]

Bro Do scammers follow you or vice versa?

[@Sammispratt48]

Can’t wait for you and the wife to get to the UK 🇬🇧, especially London and Westminster bridge. I can just imagine seeing you going up and down the bridge exposing all the cup and balls scammers. On other videos I’ve seen there can be teams of every 50 yards or less on either side of the bridge. Good luck dealing with those scammers Karl

[@jessiegopalsamy]

Karl needs his own merch line with "Nahi Chahiye" printed on it!

[@Rowdy_Star8]

😂😂😂😂

[@yarrr275]

I would buy it in a heartbeat

[@lucky9381]

'Nahi chahiye ji' has made it to Italy! 😂😂😂

[@rtxsnowy7473]

italy is quite safe although scams for tourist are common but its still good to visit , keep up the vids dude!

[@KarlRock]

Italy is amazing to visit. Although there are way too many tourists in the main tourist hubs even on shoulder seasons like when we visited. The best thing we did was visit smaller places off the tourist track 😍 The food was to die for too 😋 Manisha loved the fashion, architecture, and leather work. It’s a magical place.

[@dertythegrower]

they both admit it at 8:47 or so

[@tkautzor]

Italy is basically the India of Europe, all scams and everything is rubbish quality.

[@neo90sr]

As an Italian, I can say Italy is not as safe as it used to be. Milan, as an example, is festering with criminals and it's quite dangerous to go out at night

[@VishalsSolotravelerDigit-eq1fv]

I live in Napoli and no it's not safe especially at night

[@inviaggiocoltubo]

The lady at 10:46 was assuming that you're racist for some reason. She's saying "why do you talk? are you racist?" Anyway, we hope you enjoyed our Country!

[@KarlRock]

Oh really? I had no idea what language that was. Else I would’ve got it translated. Thanks for letting me know. She’s just trying to scare tourists with talk like that. I love Italy, always have since the first time I visited many years ago. So happy I got to take Manisha there ☺️

[@carlito6038]

it was italian

[@firecrackerg60]

​@@carlito6038lol 😂

[@chartez]

She was speaking italian but with a thick foreign accent ​@@KarlRock

[@Genital_Grinder]

ironically we should always be aware of Woman who scam in long term through marraige.

[@Herbie-Went-Bananas-Then-Split]

Karl, those beggars have worked the areas throughout Italy for over a decade prolifically. I've travelled extensively throughout Italy and the beggars when I was last there were predominantly Romanian and African - with the Romanian, it was not uncommon to see a woman with a foot missing, as she sat on the cobblestones begging for money and of course people were guilt-tripped into handing over money. Given just how many women were without a foot, or some fingers, it makes one wonder if that was done deliberately which is horrific to consider.

[@valofalconery]

First time i was in Rome i was walking by the Spanish Steps when a guy grabbed my wrist and tied coloured string/ribbon around my wrist saying "Gift for the traveller! Gift for the English man" i tried to get away but was basically handcuffed. once he tied to the sting around my wrist and released me. i was like "fine, thank you" and as i walked off he grabbed my arm and said "now you pay!" and i said "no, i didn't even want this bracelet and you said it was a gift". At that point another guy came over and said i should pay. I didn't know what to do, my girlfriend had wondered off and i was getting angry. I contemplated fighting the guys but as it was my first time in Italy, i didn't want to cause an incident. One of the guys then pulled out a knife and cut the bracelet off my wrist, and said something like "why you have bracelet if you no pay?!" to which i said "i didn't fucked ask for it. That guy literally tied himself to my arm!!". So i was lucky i didn't punch him because i could've gotten stabbed. And i quickly walked off.

[@KarlRock]

Can the beaches please at least be off limits? This beach wasn’t even in a big tourist spot.

[@dertythegrower]

Miami is now the same way...

[@domenicoradogna839]

I can talk for the North eastern italian beach and they are full of junk sellers (mostly beach towels, sunglasses and handbags), massage and tattoo that last a week, they pass every few minutes.

[@Giadaquellalà]

In italy there arent private beaches.

[@raven1121]

Thanks Karl , im taking a Vacation to Rome in June and this video was very eye opening how many scams there were

[@MrRockNRoll]

Having traveled to Italy in October 2024, we had ZERO issues with any scams or scammers. In fact, we only saw 1 scammer in Pisa. The lesson here is if you go looking for the scams/scammers you'll find them, otherwise they'll mostly leave you alone. At least that was my experience.

[@RainRemnant]

You are much nicer than I would've been! I regularly travel to Egypt, where in some places I could hardly walk an inch without them stopping me or even trying to pull me into a souvenirs shop. Now it's just avoiding eye contact, walk like a car, and sharp nails if anyone grabs my arm again 😅 And never pay the price they ask for!

[@1.4142]

When I visited fluorescence, the print selling guys all said they painted it themselves, and we saw the same people in different parts of the city on the same day.

[@Sashazur]

lol yeah if they are hand painted it’s quite a coincidence that they all look exactly alike! 😂

[@E90PAT]

The lady coming to ask for change after the scammers left was hilarious

[@oogaboogacute]

Bro Completed India The Game and now started DLC 🤠

[@boaconstrictor3754]

3:03 I don't understand this. In this day and age when everyone has their own cell phone, why would anyone agree to have someone else take their picture? I'd rather do it myself, or with whoever I'm there with.

[@mikea5745]

When I've seen the scam, it's with birds they've trained. You can't get your own picture with the birds because it's either their birds, or they train them not to let other people grab them

[@lfcl468]

Thanks Karl enjoying your videos ❤️ from another Karl across the pond 🙏

[@isakmloyeni920]

Looks like hell. Who would want to visit a place that is guaranteed nuisance. GOD bless you either way Karl.

[@Zlaterrr]

Always enjoy your videos Karl!

[@uncle1839]

Scammers are legit some of the worst people around

[@Charlie1776_]

Thank you for Highlighting this.

[@chennygrapes]

As with all scammers I just give them a blank look. No talking, just walk off.

[@domenicoradogna839]

At 14:12 the rose seller asked you for how many year have you worked in Pakistan. Anyway next time go to Venice and you will see a lot of scammers and even legal shop selling made in china souvenir. A big hug and thank you for appreciating Italy so much.

[@nikolas7666]

Or just skip Venice it's so overrated and the vibe goes away after the first 5 minutes. Way too many scammers but unfortunately this is the case in every popular european city.

[@britanniatv6575]

Mashalla great information video keep it up sir God bless you two ❤🎉😊

[@Oohkamitama]

The few times my anxiety and natural default of saying “no, thank you” while trying to get away comes in handy

[@jessicahussey]

I can imagine if your not a very confident person, that the scammers coming up to you could be very intimidating, maybe just wanting to pay them to get them to leave you alone. The guys who thrusted the flowers in your face for example could intimidate people. I'm happy to see the Milan police stop the scammers and telling visitors not to pay the scammers

[@Kosrat95]

You are right, you need to stand on your feet and don’t give up or else they eat you alive (until they get paid lol)

[@ogbinvestments4361]

Thank you for sharing the greed of humanity world wide. I am taking good notes.

[@Kiwiiismama]

I saw on Honest Guide that painting scam in Florence. Basically it’s mostly a sympathy scam, you think you accidentally stepped on this artist’s painting and they say it’s okay and no problem and all that and then you feel bad and give them money, or if you don’t give money someone else will see all that happen and feel bad for the “artist” and give them some money.

[@Sashazur]

I saw it in Florence a month ago, it wasn’t played like that. It was just “hey you stepped on my painting, now you have to buy it!”

[@izzat4817]

12:18 so random😂 i dont expect she would make a cameo

[@_f30_b58]

I lived there for eight years in the 80’s. It was not like this.

[@Matthias333]

hmm... wonder what happened!?. guess we'll never know.

[@walpoleandworcester]

Wow! Thanks for all you do Karl, even when you’re traveling abroad to other countries. So used to the India and Pakistan content.

[@christ_isking619]

Awesome video! I can’t wait for the next one 🤌

[@MahkReeProductions]

Your wife has impeccable style. Love her outfits. Class!

[@mont3928]

The problem with graffiti, I saw something similar in Athens. It was hard to find a house that was not damaged by these vandals.

[@TheWeardale1]

some years ago in rome we got accosted by some guys dressed up in old roman soldiers and asked if we wanted some photos taken with them - we said yes, then they demanded 40 euros from them! we gave them 20.. and if you ever see a cafe / restaurant (especially in a tourist trap) with no prices on the menu then just walk away - you'll get scammed. and in barcelona - they have signs at metro stations warning of pickpockets, and your instinct is to pat down where your wallet etc is (front pocket, inside blazer pocket etc), and the watching pickpockets now know exactly where to target... and in florence - while not a scam as such (small print!), but if you go into some restaurants and you'll see a steak for say 19 euros which looks great, except it's 19 euros per 100grams...and they end up paying 80 euros for it... i just avoid eye contact and don't engage in any conversation with them..

[@cinderellacomplex7]

"you'll see a steak for say 19 euros which looks great, except it's 19 euros per 100gram" That's on the customer though. It's very common for steaks to be a certain price per a certain amount of weight. If someone falls for that, they're either stupid or never eat out at restaurants, or both.

[@TheWeardale1]

@@cinderellacomplex7 indeed...hence me saying it's not a scam, just need to watch out for it, as in the UK restaurants (up north anyway) don't use that pricing policy.. :)

[@mj-ev8hu]

I actually live in Milan and it's a relatively safe city compared to other European cities. However there are areas to be avoided or being more mindful in. While the illegal sellers showed in the video are annoying, I mainly feel sorry for them as their entire "business" reflects serious immigration problems. Also they are only present in the (too) touristic areas. What I would warn people coming here about though is the girls gang of pickpocketers in the the metro (especially green line), because they don't look or act like thieves, they might approach you politely asking you information on a map (while one of their "collleagues" opens up your bag). They mainly target tourists/foreigners, and I've almost had my wallet stolen by them twice, both times when I must have looked like a tourist (and also was paying less attention) because in company of my mother visiting from Sweden. Since then I always keep either my eyes or/and a hand constantly on my handbag in the metro or crowded places. I also had a wallet stolen in a Mango shop once, it surprised me because the shop was far from crowdy, but I was told it is very common so be aware. People have had phones stolen in front of them from the table while sitting on restaurant terrasses. I live in a very quiet, preserved, quite central and safe area and yet my son was once robbed in a very posh street next to our house (the problem is that "safer", slightly "posh" areas can be very empty during vacations in summer time, while they are usually areas where people would notice and help if something happens).

[@flo2677]

Why is not Melony deporting these people?

[@Alexgudmusic]

There should be public service signs in these areas that say “if someone tries to sell you something, report them” or something like that.

[@nikolas7666]

what's the point to report these people? as he said the police can't do anything cuz it's not a ''crime'', europe is fucked with these illegal immigrants now we have to live with them

[@giovanni.abitante]

be aware of the beggars who approach you to the table. they bother everyone, not only tourists. And sometimes they play a trick: they put a newspaper on your table to try to steal your phone or wallet

[@michellemorningstar880]

Thanks forthis amazing video we have lots of stuff around london tons of painting around here too make the place look terrible thanks Karl p.s nice seeing you travel with your wife

[@zengrath]

Karl, you broke the rule, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do". Your supposed to scam them back! hehe. :)

[@MrAngV]

Looks like the scammers have increased tremendously since I've been there 10 years ago. It can ruin a vacation. The art however, is spectacular.

[@ohjajohh]

Wow, what's up with all the horrible graffiti in Italy? I hate graffiti in general, but it's such a shame its even on those old buildings and bridges.

[@Sashazur]

It’s really common all over Europe. As an American I’m used to seeing more of it in sketchy places, but in Europe you will see it even in places that are as safe as possible.

[@georgefoord7087]

great video, good balance of scams and the good side

[@mobimaks]

02:50 Idk why, but my first thought was "Oh, it looks like Milan" 😁

[@goofed86]

Italy isn't Italy anymore unfortunately

[@arthurmayor6490]

Europe isn’t Europe anymore.

[@muazunais2378]

Nowhere is nowhere anymore, the japan, south korea is ruined by tourists, thailand, bali, vietnam, sri lanka all ruined by tourism.

[@Jack-x9i2i]

He's not referring to the temporary tourists. He's referring to the permanent tourists whi areived on a boat

[@hemantrao1831]

karl bhai ko ram ram from haryana you must a global award for exposing scammers. Keep the good work.. God bless

[@StartLivingNow1963]

🙂Thank You Karl Rock for a Real Eye Opening Video on how Tourist are being Scammed and how they Pull Off their Scam's on Unsuspecting Tourist. Great Video Thanks from Canada🙂💙👍

[@AA-iq6ev]

Same in Paris insane those scammers are destroying the vibe and beauty of many nice city. Happy to see some police presence there, there was none to be seen in Paris

[@aaronviet]

nice to see actual incorruptible police.. great stuff..

[@abdullahzia-1]

My girlfriend is from Italy, so this video will help me for sure! Thank you very much karl.

[@SSD5430]

karl takes the time to notice and film all this while on vacation. Kudos 👏

[@drharrysidhu]

Looks like you are on a mission. I was in Europe last September and I really enjoyed. ❤

[@mallswarupkumar]

Thanks bro for this amazing 👏 video

[@Vicki_Benji]

Thank you, Karl!

[@cheshyr1]

Never changes. Italy was like this 20 years ago, too. I kept my id and money in a money bag under my clothes when in Rome and Florance. I didn't keep anything in my pockets except lint while I was there. The counterfeit sellers were out and fled when police raided the streets.

[@TheMarcodiator]

Glad you enjoyed yourself here.

[@stewartfooter3580]

Like dam locusts karl,great vid

[@TC_here]

Different country but a lot of the same scams. Nice work!

[@XanderDanielson]

Hey Karl! I just wanted to tell you that I did my master's in Florence for Middlebury College and I know the guy at 9:23. I actually made the mistake of buying two paintings from him and a friend of his back in 2023. Luckily I learned my lesson.

[@antongoykhman]

Karl, you’re the best. Thank you for exposing scams.

[@IsmailAliScammerbuster]

Good expose.😁

[@Alex_Rome]

Please next video about taxi scams in new zealand 😂😂😂 they're awful thieves

[@bhairavi-maa]

8:52 what is that light falling from the sky in the background between the buildings? Thanks for the informative tour, Karl!

[@Sashazur]

It’s a cheap toy sold by street sellers. I’ve seen them in touristy parts of Europe for years. The sellers shoot it up into the air with a rubber band and it comes back down like a helicopter. I’ve only ever seen the people selling them playing with them, I’ve never seen anyone buy one and then use it.

[@Sashazur]

I was in Florence last month for ten days. We walked through the most touristy areas a couple of times a day and never got hassled. We did see the painting on the ground scam (the guy who stepped on it just told them to F off) and once a guy came into a restaurant selling roses. Other that that, no problems. I’m from the USA and it felt very safe in Florence.

[@Al-wasl]

I LOVE UR VIDEOS❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊❤😊❤😊❤😊❤😊❤😊😊❤

[@jameshitselberger5845]

I hadn't realized how Italy's major cities had become scamvilles. Very different from the last time I visited in 1979 though one had to watch one's change

[@JoshGaz-dp6hy]

Dang thats crazy they are everywhere

[@LifeByIan]

Sad about the scammers. Still beautiful scenery though, thank you 🤜

[@mukkaar]

I went to Rome last summer and it was really nice. Honestly I's pretty aware of scams and generally just don't want to be bothered, so I have to say I didn't even really notice anything since automatically stay clear.

[@ziporah8125]

Thanks for the information

[@DarienDrakee]

@6:35 @Karlrock you should see the tagging situation in Bogotá haha. It’s on a different level

[@antikytheramechanism7909]

On my first trip in 1985 those people weren't there. It was very safe and nobody ever bothered me. In subsequent trips it got worse and worse and now I refuse to go to Italy. It is out of control with the pickpockets, sales on a blanket, beggars everywhere, not being able to walk at night. It makes me sick, especially in Naples. The Italians vote for people who promise to do something about this but then someone "gets to" those leaders and they change overnight! Like Meloni for instance. She went worthless overnight. Not sure what they got on her or her family to change her in an instant.

[@dertythegrower]

'diversity in europe'

[@melotrashcontent]

Well said about people choosing the right wing party and at the end they are still the same scumbags and doing absolutely nothing but keep their money packed... Populism is the worst.

[@Elatenl]

Its because of EU laws they can't do anything about it that's why

[@DirtCheap93]

Ah too bad. But it’s a payoff for colonialism and imperialism.

[@DirtCheap93]

But these ppl could definitely live with some dignity in their own country with the same money they paid to human traffickers.

[@hgill932]

Great eye opener best of luck all your video are very informative 👍👌

[@stormssf8538]

So sorry, all this happens because we ignored education in the Indian subcontinent at the right time and rather decided to be engaged in politics. 🤔

[@sciking8756]

In Italy there's a word for those sellers on the beach: "Vu cumprà", it's basically a corruption of "vuoi comprare" (wanna buy) with a strong African accent

[@DeegsISG]

We were in Florence back in the day and we never saw it this bad, saying that it was the late 90's

[@handlmycck]

the irony them moving in after a better life but then just end up doing the same thing u left for.

[@sussologist]

I have been to Italy, visiting Rome, Venice, and Naples. I didn't experience many scams, but they were there. The worst one I saw was an African man who gave a bracelet to a kid and then harassed the parents for money. They wanted to give the bracelet back, but the kid wouldn't return it. The guy got a Euro and begged for more. Luckily, a local shooed him away.

[@andrewturner1440]

My wife and I spent 2 weeks in Italy on our honeymoon. We didn’t have any issues with touts, but also kept our head on a swivel for pick pockets. No issues for us really. Go to small towns like Assisi if you want to enjoy the culture but free of the tourist traps

[@Drago1995]

My poor Europe

[@Lebowski604]

I just visited Europe in June, specifically the flower peddlers would come to your lady and try to put the flower in her hand and demand money... don't extend your hand when they go to pass you a flower! Thankfully it didn't work on us but I saw a few instances where the tourist felt obligated.

[@simondavey7787]

I love travelling around Europe but am not a fan of the scammers and bad street vendors. Italy is bad for them, as is France. Thanks for this insight.

[@tonylawlor8833]

With the gamblers scam, anyone that wins is in on the scam.

[@cinderellacomplex7]

That's what he said...

[@braindeadreece]

0:06 shoutout to that guy 😄

[@KarlRock]

It happened in the way video too haha! Love it.

[@Tompii]

When I was in Rome, the only time I got scammed was actually in a legit Murano glass store, where the clerk double charged me whilst the salesman distracted me. I just laughed at the fact afterwards that it happened there of all places.

[@Herbie11]

I'm the guy in the blue jacket to the right in the thumbnail photo! Wth!

[@justice-jb5ld]

I was in Italy in 98, nobody tried to sell me anything, it was very peaceful and very nice, I was on the streets at around midnight, but I did encounter a very weird Italian men that insisted that for me to follow him, of coarse I didn’t.

[@R0flPant0ffel]

Thank you! I thought it is a crime to feed pigeons in Italy. Thats what i heard in venice...

[@Lebowski604]

7:41 Bro blew that tire out hard!!

[@Dentiera]

I grew up going to the beach every summer and some of the sellers you get to know. They’re generally nice and leave you alone if you say no politely. Some of the are friends with the elderly cause they see them everyday. So it’s quite normal for an italian seeing them around; not as much as a tourist i guess

[@manu-zb]

This bracelet scam is so annoying. It happend to me twice. In your case, it was relatively chill, but in my case, it was much sneakier. He tried to build trust by being overly friendly and pretending interest. Then he offered me a bracelet as a gift. After that the guy suddenly changed his tone, acting really sad and trying to get sympathy. He even showed me pictures of a woman with a baby and claiming it was his family, saying he had no money. The picture was already opened and zoomed in after he unlocked his phone. As soon they realize that they don't get anything, they become pretty agressive and instantly demand their braclet back.

[@christineeccles7445]

my husband and I went to Italy and visited the area's Karl has been and we haven't seen any of these scammers except that painting guy. we ask someone in our tour group to take our pictures in some of the prime areas. We were on a cruise and visited Venice, that area Game of Thrones was filmed, Greece, Naples, Rome, Florence and other areas of France and Barcelona, was a great trip.

[@RogelioV1985]

Hope you can cover the pick pocket thief in the trains! I saw videos of those lately on youtube

[@Leodicapri0]

Karl the scam destroyer!

[@ayubmohamed5210]

Hope you enjoyed being in my country😂😂

[@theheinzification]

Rome was indeed horrible in terms of scams. They certainly ruin the stay to some degree, even if you don't fall for them. On our very first day in Rome a few years ago, my wife and I walked from our hotel to the Spanish Steps. We went around the corner entering the touristy area on the upstairs-side and were confronted by a rose seller. As he wanted to come closer, I held my hand out and said "f*** off" or "piss off" or something like that. This is my recipe dealing with all those scammers. Never be friendly, but extremely rude!!! It helps. In this case he did stop, but threw a rose toward my wife who wanted to catch it instinctively. I quickly hold her hand back from reaching out and the rose touched her breast and fell to the ground, were we left it.

[@aaroneshan]

11:50 get the rayban meta glasses to record stuff like that

[@roberttuzzolo119]

Become a pro active tout on the touts. Good stuff.

[@danielkarlsson8850]

Do a video of central station in Milan at night, where people are waiting for their shuttle bus. Crazy stuff

[@prathamkamath13]

Plz make a video on uk tour and expose the scammers there

[@gretemdl]

The 14:11 you wrote "unitelligable" to what the flower guy was speaking but it's actually Italian. He said "Quanti anni hai lavorato?" (How many years have you been working?). Maybe his English was worse than Italian and he thought you'd speak it. But anyways good that you point those scams out and it's important to know that these people are not Italian and hopefully they won't ruin your overall experience there.