Scam City: Barcelona - World's Most Skilled Con Men and Thieves | Free Documentary

[@FreeDocumentary]

Apparently, Barcelona is a hub for creative and dexterous pickpockets. Watch those wallets. And, as with all big cities, and touristy places: leave valuables in the hotel and enjoy yourself. Barcelona is a great easygoing city.

[@Bobafe77a]

Were you staying at the Hotel Lloret on Las Ramblas?? I stayed there in 1997.

[@pirateofpacific]

If these documentaries are shot almost 10 years ago as people say in comments, why they are uploaded only now?

[@bobjohnson973]

Idk if it was the same thing but they came up to me and started humping my leg and the other guy said that the guy wanted to dance with me trying to distract me to get my wallet and the guy at the hotel told me this was called " the maradonna " for some reason, maybe cause maradonna dribbled by going back and forth real quick or humping other players legs or something

[@FreeDocumentary]

@@bobjohnson973 😅 that sounds interesting. Yeah, they try to get you off guard with all sorts of tricks.

[@noxiousmashairi]

Conor Woodman is arguably the best journalist to ever bring these exposes,,big up with the entire crew and so much welcome to Nairobi Kenya for some fun

[@MGIndahouse100]

Bro dressed up in drag for this one 😵 He's really going all out 🤣

[@c63sk88]

Lmao

[@peter_karl]

You mean: coming out 🚪👬

[@jbservices8503]

A typical ablanian from kossovar "culture" of scammers and terrorism!

[@elliotsobers5266]

Yoooo this sh8ls is hilarious AF

[@SweetPeteUnleashed]

He probably realised a little too late that the Flying Cedarbash of Altoniak was marching right through the Cordynspleen of Argylmyr. 😅😂🤣😭😅🍾🤔😂 The news said that there were at least seven vobber bingle mcfarkingshraggles hiding behind the wibblewomp tree. Even Lord Borgilburry couldn't request the Vorkilmyn of Brogenspire in time to institute the Merry Christmas laws of Bompynipple Poopskooperpoon. Ever since then, the local peasants have been plotting to topple The Yorvinhaght of Pakataki, but an old enemy has arrived to ensure the Frookincompersnipple of Valhagarmyr. It's a tragic tale, really.

[@TheDaveCalaz]

This show is so amazingly hilarious. Nobody is falling for him dressed up as a woman. I'm in actual tears here. I love this show!

[@1gerard47]

Fake.

[@MarcusAgrippa1986]

Whahah he seems to like it 2😂😂

[@jemzmoodly9360]

Best youtube channel for frequent travellers..thank you so much im hooked

[@chantalsscaleisafibber]

Eliana is a hero. I'm amazed at how good he was walking in heels~I'm female and would break a few bones just attempting to walk in any sized heels.

[@Jason-eo2vv]

He said it best at the end that he felt conflicted when they were indifferent to how ppl reacted and thats what separates the honest from the liars and the good ppl from the thieves

[@jabuqini6437]

Exactly how it's done in south africa 33:13

[@salsabil44]

Barcelona is one of my favourite cities and I´ve been there several times but it´s being ruined by pickpockets. The first time I went there I got my phone stolen after just a few hours, by two guys, just like in your film, with the Barcelona FC dance. I chased them and caught up with one, but after wrestling on the ground with the guy for several minutes it was clear that it was the other one who had my phone and, after my glasses got knocked off my head I ended up letting him go. What was most saddening is how nobody came to help me. The police explained later that anything taken under €400 is just a misdemeanor so the problem is only getting worse. Maybe this is how they want to reduce tourist numbers??

[@Jrt91]

Most overrated city and culture I have ever seen.

[@richatlarge462]

I have this fantasy where the police catch pickpockets by letting them steal decoy phones with the location turned on. Or the "phones" are actually devices that spray the perps with a dye.

[@randomuser88844]

These type of lenient laws are put in place deliberately. Its a feature, not a bug.

[@ACTIONDANhero]

22:20 give this man an award for commitment

[@josephlong6284]

this guy is so Alan Partridge and i love it

[@weefyman7330]

OMG! i cant unsee it now, well spotted.

[@randomriddle539]

we need season 2 of this series, this was shot almost a decade ago now in 2023 there r new scams in the market n also the old ones r revamped especially in india

[@AInUnitedKingdom]

It was filed in late 2011, aired in 2012, so 12 years ago now (as of 2023). We need a new one.

[@Ismael_jagne]

Am watching it in 2024 bro 😂

[@_d98224]

​@@Ismael_jagne same here 😂

[@chesshead3943]

That was impressive journalism!!!

[@DaniHM19294]

Eliana is very well known in all of Spain. True legend

[@MichaelMengo]

The hair flip took me out. I burst out laughing

[@killmtv5351]

I already was binge watching this, now I really am!

[@dsouza4746]

I lived in Barcelona and any of these crooks are from Eastern Europe and India. Spanish people are embarrassed by this behavior. Just be careful and you’ll be fine.

[@sinugeorge5164]

How many Indians scammed you in Barcelona? I don't think there are many Indians in Barcelona. The Indians who are in Spain are either university students or Software professionals.

[@Hangar1318]

Brah you're racist that's all. Most scammers I saw in this video were not Indian.

[@harvardtroy7638]

I am already anxious before my fly to Barcelona

[@sixman9]

I'm 6'9“, lived in Barcelona for 1.5 years around 1995, and I/we were stolen from/pick pocketed 3 times, got my stuff back the third time (people told me who did it). All three times it was in the vicinity of the Rambla, where I lived, one of those times was in a restaurant, gave out leaflets, took my wallet off the table (slight of hand). Put you wallet in your front pocket, women, zip your bag and carry it on front of your chest. Played the shell/pea game once too 😂

[@videorocketzmillar007milla5]

Or what dad told me..put your money in your sock.

[@andregenter4213]

Chestbag unser your shirt. Not pickable

[@ikarusofficial8089]

bro this episod was the best if ever saw with the boys at the end is soo sick too see !!! They are almost too good 🔥❤️

[@reecerx7]

Connon Crossdresser Woodman, ahahahaha mate that's hillarious, I'm in stitches 🤣🤣

[@sixman9]

They've been doing that dancing paper/string/radio thing since I lived in Barcelona in 1995!

[@LS-qw3ez]

Wolter’s World has good advice on avoiding travel scams! Some of them are so inventive.

[@seleemahmad1254]

One of the best of ur work bravo

[@Basauri_48970]

45:52 The girl was not Spanish, she was Latin American. In fact Barcelona may be the only city in the series where even the local guides - George, Mariana, Iliana etc - are all foreign born, not just the criminals.

[@aliceh8169]

Agreed. What these videos never tell you is that 90% of these scammers are foreigners who enter the country illegally. The real culprits are in the liberal government that slaps their hand and let’s them go. It’s very frustrating for the Spanish citizens who have to endure it all.

[@NewPersiCook]

My bag was zipped and I was not alone and was on second floor of UNIQLO WITH Only ONE EXIT . And a security guard. My bag had 5 zippers. They followed me from the street and didn’t give up until they took the money. Unbelievable !

[@barbarachambers7974]

Persistent

[@sebgold5841]

'It's not everyday you have dinner with a household of thieves'... Lol

[@diaryofabadgrandma]

The most telling thing here is them pleading to the undercover that he didn't rob anyone Spanish..

[@golvellius6855]

Amazing 👏 👏 bravo

[@KEAHON]

They’ve done the three card Monty in New York ever since I can remember growing up here. As a kid I used to just stand there and watch the slight of hand. Everyone who wasn’t a tourist knew the people playing were in on it trying to lure the tourists in to play. I never lost money because I didn’t have any to lose. My parents wouldn’t let me carry money. If I had some I’m sure I’d have lost it instantly to scammers.

[@user-ec2kd8sz3t]

How well did they do in New York? I briefly saw a game once in the early 2000s in New York, only watched for 10 minutes or so and they took one kid for $40. A couple years ago, though, I saw a crew set up on the elevated walkways in Las Vegas between a couple of hotels. Between the seven of them (that I could recognize) they took in at least $1500 in less than twenty minutes. They wouldn't play for less than $100 and every second or third person who got taken doubled down and tried again for $200. It seemed like hard work in NY, but Christ, $1500 in 20 minutes... I can see the appeal if you've got a crowd full of drunk suckers with pockets full of cash.

[@richatlarge462]

I remember that in NYC in 1980. It was so obviously a scam.

[@bastian_anibal]

BCN is not that bad as people think, been there twice 2018/2019 and this is how i managed to avoid all scams: 1: stayed away from la Rambla. 2: went to playa barceloneta instead of Nova icaria were most robbes happend. 3: took the Metro ONLY times when destination was to far. 4: avoided crowded tourist resturants and areas.

[@pirateofpacific]

La Rambla is the most fun street like Hollywood Blvd in LA. Pickpockets should not discourage you. Put the little money in front. Don’t get drunk and don’t keep hands in your pocket where you have phone or money when stopping at side show. I didn’t take tram. Only used bus. So I guess it was safer.

[@richardchorley1593]

I never particularly cared for Barcelona , and I went back in the pre-Olympic days when it was authentic and still cheap . Go to the smaller unfashionable cities and towns for your Spanish experience , and you won't see any street crime

[@alexdenzin978]

You mean Catalunya experience 😛

[@EXITMUSIC2011]

That whistle is a well known sample!

[@markfromct2]

Great film...thanks My wife got her wallet lifted in Paris. The part that was amazing was that someone mailed it back to her! Sans Argent

[@TrumpIsrael2024]

I think the original pickpocketer threw your wife's wallet away. A good samaritan found it, & mailed it back. That's what I would do if I found a discard wallet from another country.

[@panksontube]

He gave the money back.. a nice personality indeed.

[@paulrb894]

Keep money and cards in a hidden money belt over belly and don't be distracted... a wallet Is a bad idea when abroad... Otherwise Barcelona is a beautiful city to explore ❤

[@bikeanddogtripsvirtualcycling]

a common scam i saw in major tourist areas of china - around 2003 and in taxis too. You may the recipient with a note, say 100 yuan then two mins later they chase after you saying that the note is fake - returning it to you for a new one. so in essence they got the original correct 100, gave their own fake to you and received a new correct note. Got to the point that i would make small marks on notes or read them the last few serial number digits when handing over any notes so that they wouldnt try to con me

[@matthewhiggs4805]

Conor is a great documentary maker

[@Avanti12]

Seeing you in drag made my day.

[@Jimbo.jack47]

absolutely superb

[@McPoshSquatch]

The hair tossing when he's in drag is too much. 😂😂😂😂

[@kellymelrose8527]

fascinating..

[@Bulletguy07]

Spain really needs to get its act together in cracking down on criminality but the police just don't bother. I had cash, bank cards, and passport stolen as the result of roadside distraction theft on the AP-7 Autopista a few years ago. When I went to the police they were totally useless and basically not interested.

[@wernervermaak790]

likewise. Last year. They didn't even care to look at video footage (both station security and police) and treated me like I was the criminal. Had to go to Madrid and fly home on an emergency passport. Couldn't believe this is a first world country operating like this.

[@Bulletguy07]

@@wernervermaak790 I was robbed at the roadside driving a motorhome and as I was traveling alone, I was an easy target for them. I realised what had happened as they drove off and a third youth was in the car (when they drove round me I'd only seen two in the car). As their car sped off I saw my jacket had been taken. I hammered it to the next motorway service area where to my relief there was a group of police doing spot checks. Unbelievably not one spoke any English. I screamed at them in broken Spanish about being robbed and eventually I was taken to a local station to make a report. That descended into something more akin to the Pink Panther as the female officer at the desk began fooling around with each male officer that came in. After an hour of that nonsense I'd had enough so demanded a crime report number (essential for insurance) and got the hell out of the place. I knew the cash was gone for good but I was annoyed the police had very little interest in my passport being among the stolen items.

[@chesshead3943]

What is the roadside distraction theft?

[@monicagrorud2225]

Sounds like they are on the take.

[@nicko1998riegate]

Eyyyyy second!!

[@MrSupervillin]

Put a rat trap in your pocket

[@f-ickle1200]

Classic.

[@Vulcan650Vampire]

Or an actual angry rat. That could be cool too

[@khukchanghabru8962]

Or else neddle😂

[@benshermansherman6662]

😂😂😂

[@bydanak]

Or gla$$ in one compartment of a bag..

[@Emy53]

I love Spain, and I have family all over the country, but I hate these scammers. They come from different countries, even Spanish residents are scamners too. I have never been scammed yet, but I would be very upset if I were. I watch these videos to be aware.

[@carolinemah9972]

It is very alarming how easy to pickpockets. Conor always does an amazing job going undercover and investigating! I live in Canada. Happens at home too! I also travel the world. I always keep my wallet discreetly hidden. I learn so much valuable information from watching your videos. THANKS SO MUCH TO CONOR AND HIS TEAM.

[@LAMF24]

Lovely diversity enriching everywhere it goes.

[@Fridge1990]

aye ive been binge watching pick pocket vids on youtube, funny how most of the perps seem to almost always be Romanian and Albanian hey...

[@gold.13]

Had me on da edge of my seat lol...

[@ludfx4yyc403]

💡👍Brilliant !!

[@rebeccagutierrez1960]

Thats crazy. I'll be in the pickpocket city soon. But nobody's gonna steal from me.

[@laurenchristianna2092]

Sooo....how much they get you for? 😂

[@prasannamane2989]

Love you for the way you present the content....Big fan of your Channel..... Forever Your Sub 🎉🎉

[@chris777-o8g]

Much respect for you and your team! I remember I lost my wallet when I was young in Hong Kong metro and I was chatting with my friend , absent minded . 😵‍💫 So much to learn from watching your stories . Thank you !

[@sunshineproductions4122]

Can we pls get the brand/model of your secret cameras in the description

[@johnlightbody9942]

Xlnt video...

[@rodneymil3979]

When he walked away from the lady and was walking down the street i laughed so hard. He looked like DEEBO coming for jewelery

[@Biganeworldwide]

The fact that he gets arrested over and over again and he only spends 3days in jail is a problem if he got at least 3years the first time he would change his ways

[@LAMF24]

Or just deport him. This doesn't happen because Western governments want to destroy our cultures.

[@Greg9369]

What brand is the black battle jacket Conon wears?? Is it a Belstaff waxed cotton jacket?

[@RC-pj1pr]

Michael reminds me of the kind of character you bump into in a GTA game

[@jeanmyers1787]

After watching all your videos Connor I’m staying at home in Blighty 🇬🇧

[@MrAfricanman88]

Thank you for the video. It’s answered my request

[@alexri.804]

"Find the pea" 🧐 Even dinosaurs🦕already knew that scam 60 million years ago. How can anyone still fall for this?

[@marcwayne9514]

I live in New York City. People here are more anxiously preoccupied with getting stabbed, punched in the face by angry young men doing it with impunity, being shot while being caught in the middle of a crisis-cross shooting by rival gang members, being mugged, or pushed on to the tracks in front of an approaching subway train. Not that it wouldn’t be upsetting and a real nuisance, but being picked pocketed might be experienced as almost benign in comparison.

[@culturediscoverytv]

7:00 la canción de omega 😂😂 🇩🇴🇩🇴🔥

[@BastedwithMustard]

27:09 - 27:35 PEOPLE in the BACKGROUND!! LOLOLOLOL

[@Peter.S96]

Most of them time I can tell when there is a pickpocketer around. Because body language never tells wrong. And also dangerous people act suspicious mostly

[@haddingtoniangcp2464]

Man claimed he snorted 10m worth of cocaine. I call bull sheet 😂

[@mvd4436]

He is your typical lying fake bigshot

[@craftyink70]

Found your series a few days ago Absolutely love your documentaries. Your gorgeous too 😍

[@orlandolamlamag1863]

You actually look pretty gorgeous with that make over tho😅

[@FileForename]

18:00 - I would call him: "Michael the сказочник" XD

[@_J_U_S_T_I_N_]

Connor for President. I can't get enough of this dude.

[@jeanmyers1787]

No he’s English, he can take over from our rubbish PM R. Sunak 🇬🇧

[@stacyscholes6760]

I fell for the pea game in teneriffe years ago 😢😢

[@gusmcbooze2195]

Matey wasnt wearing the Ny football top when you were explaining the set up, he was wearing just a white top and couldnt keep his eyes off you.

[@bikeanddogtripsvirtualcycling]

i remember in the early 2000s I was on a train during the chinese spring festival travelling from Xi'an to Kunming and remember slamming a carriage door on a guy's hand because i felt him reach inside my pockets when making my way through the train. I never turned around but i do remember his scream

[@sul5707]

That’s quite the undercover outfit!

[@mck5549]

"some men go for anything" 🤣'my nylon wig"

[@spinrash6000]

😂😂😂😂that was too natural he seems so happy 😅😅😅

[@TheBORG580]

Be extremely careful of the taxis there me and my wife arrive a couple days early For A cruise the hotel from the airport is only 4 miles. The taxi conveniently got lost four times and try to charge me $110.00 I got extremely angry and told him I was calling the police I told him I was giving him a 20 he better take it and he did please extremely careful of the taxis there.

[@SergeLabelle]

The other players (winners) are part of the team. I saw it in Prague.

[@brycegibson5094]

i love this man 😂

[@rickychhangte4218]

This one is funny 😂😂😂

[@simplayworld4894]

I remember Elliana had a YT channel based on her work some years ago, not sure if it is still active though.

[@michaelsizemore1398]

Holy cow!! I woke up and needed a second cup of Joe to handle that night out! You really go the distance to show us everything I mean EVERYTHING about scams! Thank You!!

[@davechristian7543]

the part he was dressed as a chick was set ut i can bet my balls on it

[@oyasvortex]

When you came out in the heels and wig!! 🤣💀

[@whitesky38]

Connor as a woman looks like that Noel Fielding from the Mighty Boosh lol

[@JeezBeez]

Barcelona was once an AMAZING city... went last year for my 5 time and my last. The city is lost to uncontrolled immigration and those who want to scam... I was confronted by a Gipsy acting like a "Bar Manager" trying to get me and my wife to visit his bar near the Hotel Colon within Cathedral Square... He tried shaking my hand, when I pushed him away he wrapped my arm and tried to strip my Breitling off my wrist.. I punched him and began to follow him and my wife noticed his goonies quickly approaching us. We had to duck into the Hotel Colon and call for police to escort us to our hotel... Another great city lost to criminals thriving with Socialst Policies

[@Tad-For-Global-Peace]

That’s not socialism, you sick oppressive Dictator

[@brianmaloney45]

I got robbed on Las Ramblas back in 1993. Same scenario but different outcome. In broad daylight, I felt the guy grab my wallet and saw him pass it off to his partner going the other way quickly. I was 24 and a competitive runner, I gave chase, caught the guy in the boulevard and jumped him from behind, driving him to the bricks. As I was punching him, I felt a pair of hands grab me from behind and figured I just might be in for a beating. It turned out to be an undercover police officer who saw the commotion and jumped into the fray. The guy was arrested and I filled out a police report in my barely functional Spanish. When I got out of the station and caught up with my travel companions, they informed me that our rental car had been broken in to!

[@birdman7687]

Michael’s great, I rlly watch these vids to get a glimpse of these places again. I stayed at the hotel Barcelona.l, we went out to huge nightclub.. awesome night dude.

[@brothercaleb]

36:14 “my mother has robbed a lot from shops everywhere” 😅

[@ostrajazda7507]

32:20 - "I put my wallet in my back pocket..." XD good move. It's a best place for wallet to be stollen imo

[@nolanqin]

Connor looks lovely in drag 😊😊😊

[@ericdravenX00X]

Conor is willing to do anything for a bad time.

[@aerotus888]

How does that family of pickpockets admit all of it on camera, do it and not get arrested by the police?

[@fabianperkins4631]

they literally say they get locked up for 3 days and then out again

[@pedro333]

Guy in Raval steps across me to pick up dropped earbuds guy behind lifts my phone. Went back later saw guy grabbed him got phone back - very lucky 😬

[@halihalihaidiho]

Tourists take note. Delete Barcelona off your holiday venue. Share with friends then those useless authorities will know when tourism has dropped.

[@jabuqini6437]

Come to South Africa

[@atifmanzoor63]

I don’t think I would like to visit a place like this

[@maricelfranklin7256]

Hahhaa you look cute with that make over the heck 😂🤣

[@richatlarge462]

Avoid shady people and places when traveling, and then at least all you have left to deal with are taxi drivers (pay in advance if possible otherwise let them know the price you expect), vendors (count your change or get a receipt for a card swipe), and pickpockets (secure your items and stay alert, especially when it gets crowded). Don't ride the busses. Treat any sudden occurrence as a pickpocket gang distraction. Stay paranoid.

[@LS-ys8nr]

That sucks for people trying to have a relaxing vacation. Might as well stay home

[@richatlarge462]

@@LS-ys8nr No, just stay alert in crowds, I know how to deal with taxi drivers and street vendors. I've never had a problem, but it's not going to be total relaxation in cities.

[@LS-qw3ez]

Marianne was lovely and seemed like a fun person to hang out with! She did seem suspiciously skilled at taking wallets, though😛 Hopefully she’s doing well.

[@delavida1862]

That’s a man dummy

[@delavida1862]

@LS-qw3ez you know that’s a man right

[@ilovelondon2474]

@@delavida1862 she presents as a female. Be respectful

[@delavida1862]

@@ilovelondon2474 I am being respectful to what the God almighty created… if the Lord created a man it’s a man…I don’t care what u or what he thinks just my God almighty thinks…who’s the only one who deserves all do respect because GOD DONT MAKE MISTAKES

[@chashkalozhkasb3573]

@@ilovelondon2474respectful of what! No one can change their ganders. Period!

[@FirozHusain-e2x]

Lol from Durban south Africa 😂🎉

[@alexdenzin978]

Never had issues in Barcelona but then I’m taking just my phone and one credit card to take cash. Never bring bags or backpacks!