"an important warning..........."

[MARCUS]

Well good afternoon to all of you!
As you probably are aware,i make a living out of other peoples "miss fortunes" It is quite complicated at times and a few "eye openers"
But i would like to warn the "holiday makers" of what to look out for!
Over the past few weeks we have had a large influx of "Romanians"who seem to be working as a team "Robbing".They are targeting holiday makers who have just got off the coach from the airport and checking in to the reception.One will distract you while the other runs off with your hand luggage! They also have been robbing wallets and purses in Mogan Market last Friday.The police arrested 2 people but the others disappeared faster than "Mr Ben"!!
So be careful in the markets.Gentlemen,if you feel a ladies hand brush past your inner thigh,remember that your wallet is the only "asset" that she is after(not the other! lol)
So once again always travel with travellers cheques and not cash.If your creditcard is stolen whilst on holiday.The police report comes later,First always cancel the cards! The best place to get the numbers is on the internet in most hotel receptions.
Marcus x
P.S My father(a famous water colour artist in the uk) always told me "Keep one hand on your wallet and the other hand on your flies!"
I just wish i listened to his advice viewers!! lol:thankyou:

[2-islandangie]

That is just how I was robbed a few years back. My hand luggaage was taken within minutes of getting off the coach.
The thief posed as a bogus porter.
As we didn't speak the language we had to have an interpreter go to the police with us.
It is bad news that they are "at it" again.
I would like to endorse your warning -
TAKE CARE

[fee]

Unbelievable the scams some people will get up to.

You're giving away secrets now Marcus - but not namedropping?!

Incidentally, if you didn't take your father's advice - did you lose your wallet or something more valuable?????!!!!!!!

[oor wullie]

Thanks for the warning. it's so easy to drop your guard when your messing about with cases. If i see any one looking dodgy i just give a long hard stare, they normally move on. I don't think Gran Canaria is any different to any other tourist spot. Here in Oxford during the summer hardly a day goes by without some foreign language student having a bag stolen or worse.Be wary and sensible, and have fun...

[coolcreen]

Marcus, you warning is very much appreciated.

Had a similar experience to the one described on the airport bus from Barcelona Airport the the city centre. One guy tried to take one of my cases from me. The purpose was to distract me. The other took my wallet from behind.

They also have another scam which normally takes place in open spaces such as public parks and pedestrianised areas of the city.
One guy is up a tree dropping what appears to be bird-droppings on prospective victims. A well dressed gentleman will shortly approach the victim to inform them of what is on their clothing. He will offer to clean it for them. Yes, he is very good at cleaning, but later they realise that their wallet/purse is gone. He is cleaning and frisking at the same time.

[MARCUS]

Hello again!
just to inform you that once again the "Romanians" returned this morning to a "packed" Mogan market and started to pick pocket from the tourists again.About 6 were arrested and handcuffed and then bundled into the back of a jeep. All male apart from a woman(very very attractive).
Loads of tourists were robbed and very upset as "all" there money had been taken and had no way of getting back to there hotel.
Marcus x

[Owen]

This just happened to a couple in Tenerife / Costa Adeje as a family member called me yesterday for some advice and help as their passports and medication were taken too.

[Ghoulie]

I think it was last year - & in the UK? someone with a death wish tried to steal boxer Nigel Benns luggage. Nigel 'stopped' him

[ROB.P]

:angry: i see these low romanian gypsys are now robbing and pickpocketing in gran canaria now they must have got fed up or deported from london where they were robbing and pick pocketing on the tubes and the west end high street scum thats what they are.:angry: :angry: :angry:

[fee]

Well at least we all know to be on our guard now so hopefully if they don't get away with much in GC then they'll give up and go away.

[Top Cat]

We witnessed a mugging on the sea wall path from PC to Amadores beach about 22.00 two weeks ago close to Bahia Blanca, at a position where the lighting had failed. Two teenagers knocked over a man & stole a bag that his wife was carrying, they looked like local
lads as they passed us, but on reflection could well have been Romanians.
We never walked that path again after dark.

Take Care.

Top Cat
:glare:

[MARCUS]

Romanians don't normaly use violence,they work in a way that they are more the "snake in the grass" kind of character.(ie pick pockets and steeling your bag without you noticing!
The days of muggings are a few years ago now,yes we have the odd problem now and again but most of that has been cleaned up by the police and tougher penalties in the courts.
Becareful of the "gang" playing the "dried pea and wallnut" trick on the walkway and subways too.
There will always be crime,but the police have it quite controlled now,it is certainly a far more serious issue in the uk,from what i am reading on the bbc news website.
Marcus (with one hand on my wallet and the other..................... x)

[missprimmy]

Becareful of the "gang" playing the "dried pea and wallnut" trick on the walkway and subways too.

Don't want to appear thick or anything but what is this trick Marcus ??:banghead: ??

[Jordan]

one of the oldest cons, 3 small cups and dried pea guess which one its under starts off very easy you keep winning they even give you money to start with then they up the stakes when you start playing with your own money thats when you get ripped off, saw one person lose 200 euros. Normally about 4/5 people standing round the table cheering and tempting others to try their luck problem is they are all in on it and can get very nasty when you dont pay up. As marcus said normally found under the subway as they have look outs either end.

[missprimmy]

ahh now I know what you mean, this scam was shown on tv a couple of weeks back.
Thanks for enlightening me :thumb:

[BlonDane]

With this trick they can also pick pocket the crowd watching - and even people just passing by as they are distracted when wondering what has gathered a crowd.. They only need you to be distracted for a few seconds.:glare:

[libbyo]

one of the oldest cons, 3 small cups and dried pea guess which one its under starts off very easy you keep winning they even give you money to start with then they up the stakes when you start playing with your own money thats when you get ripped off, saw one person lose 200 euros. Normally about 4/5 people standing round the table cheering and tempting others to try their luck problem is they are all in on it and can get very nasty when you dont pay up. As marcus said normally found under the subway as they have look outs either end.

But in recent months have frequently of a morning been seen on the walkway to Ammadores.

Libbyo :)

[swifty]

they were operating on the pr end of the walkway for all the two weeks i was there.
amazing how many people were taken in by the gang of around seven people.
two older men and four locals who take it in turn to have a go and win.
then others try and always end up loosing.

[MARCUS]

Now viewers,as you know i don't discuss my "private affairs" on line with "the world"(inc work,love life or sex life):confused: but i thought i would just mention that as much as we discuss the various nationalities that are out and about thieving including our "Romanian friends"(those "snakes in the grass" viewers) That a young "British" guy has "just been" arrested in Puerto Rico for stealing whilst on holiday here.
Just thought it would "even things" out a bit.
Marcus x

[ROB.P]

hi marcus yes i agree that in puerto rico and other parts of spain you will get british people who steal and rob people , but in general it is gangs of romanians , kosovans and as you know to well the africans in the parks can be forcefull into you giving them money etc , all i know is that the majority of muggings pickpockets are done by gangs of these people not from britain in fact the majority of these gangs in england especially london are all from the balkans and africa and if the police gave the percentage you would be shocked to find out how few british people are involved in it and it would be the same in puerto rico if the police gave you the percentage there it would show that the majority would not be spanish its these peoples way of life and the only way to stop them is a severe punnishment:angry:

[Ghoulie]

I had my credit card cloned in the UK - @ a SAVE petrol station - asian - bangladeshi?. Bank advised me - they could 'see' me using my card in normal Manchester area - & allegedly at the same time in Brighton area. On discussing with police / fraud people as part of the investigation, police adviced it was an Afro Caribbean caught with the cloned card -s o the asians obviously selling these on. Police weren't interested in me identifying the asian !! My bank advised me they had no end of cloned card problems with SAVE petrol stations and advised me not to use them. Pity this sort of advceisn't publicised in Daily nwspapaers to stop the scammers. Name & Shame I say. When I worked in Dubai - anyone caught doing wrong was put int he papers - photo, passport details etc. so everyone could clock who they were & what they were up to. Those who weren't deported soon left of their own accord

[fee]

I agree. It's time we took a tougher approach with criminals in this country - "name and shame" is a start. But when I hear only yesterday in the news that we're putting by £78m to compensate prisoners having to slop out in jails, in the same week that a woman was refused a cancer drug because it was too expensive, I think this country has a long long way to go to get rid of crooks - it's a haven for them and they're practically rewarded for their crimes.

[ROB.P]

i agree friends of mine who were bad boys about thirty years ago who were in prison said they wouldent go back again in them days as it was rough but now they get tellys in there room they can play snooker eat what food they want etc and then you get the biggest criminals which are the do gooders ie social workers and human rights do you know they are now complaining that its against criminals rights to be locked up f**k off
what about the poor victims who have been scared to death etc like little old pensioners who are now afraid to ever bgo out what about there rights , all the judges are weirdos they seem to worry about the criminals more ,why give a 15 year sentance and then realise them after 7 years why can anyone explain that to me it just winds me up:angry: :angry:

[2-islandangie]

I was appalled a few years ago to learn that in one prison a proffessional Golfer was going in to teach the cons how to play golf!!!!
Hello - what is wrong with our penal system?
My son would love to have proffessional golf lessons but can't afford it. He works & pays his way in life.
How can you describe going to jail as punishment anymore?
I agree with Fee that money should be spent on the Health service instead.

[oor wullie]

Lets be honest. I hear this talk every day of my life. At work, in the shops, at the football, in the pub, at the in-laws, everywhere . And guess what, come the elections , everyone goes out to vote for this goon of a PM again.this is a holiday forum .lets :have-fun: :grouphug:

[charlatan]

subject changing completely , who is Marcus's famous artistic dad ? and has Marcus inherited his talents ?

[russ]

just thought i would mention this as its a little relevant and the best arrest i have ever seen.

a few nites ago 2 north african guys were seen acting suspicious in the guanabara park. the police were called and the guys were searched and found to have some safes in their car. they were pulled out of teh car by there hair and giving a few hits. then were dragged into a quiet area and generally beaten heavily. including one who lost 3 teeth. dont know whos boot done that lol as it was dark and couldnt make out the person. after they were unconcious they were put staright to prison. a job well done. perhaps if uk police were allowed to do the same then we would not have so many probs

cheers russ

[shirley]

I agree with a lot written about romanians. But my experience was 4 men of different nationalities. Ukraine, polish and 2 morrocans. in playa del cura
i was working there at the time and an english tourist came running into the office, with a piece of plastic in her hand saying shed had touble at the cash machine, Shed got her money out but the card would not come back out. So she pulled on the thick bit of the card entrance it came off in her hand, out popped her missing bank card but also a long piece of plastic, a man ran up to her shouting that shed broken the cash machine, snatched one bit of plastic off her , so she hung on to the other and ran in to me with it. I got the police but while they were on there way, the man came back again, presumably thinking he could still get the other piece of plastic off her, as it was part of his (tools) to steal bank cards with. She said there look thats him her husband ran after him and got the car number, which was speeding off, The police were given the car number and they were caught before they got to puerto Rico it was a stolen car as well.They had 120 stolen credit cards on them and several passports . They use (tools) that stop your bank card coming back out of the machine. you get your money but your card doesnt come back out, so while you are looking for someone to help you, they retrieve the thick bit they put on, your card pops out with a piece of perspect that has been trapping it in and they are away with your card, So its not just camaras that they use. So before you put your card in the machine pull on the thick bit of plastic at the entrance of the card slot to see if it will come off first before you insert your card .If your card doesnt come back out DO NOT MOVE AWAY from the machine alert someones attention to call the police stay by the machine until they arrive. Also BRITS come here for the good life penniless,,cant pay the rent (some bad ones )then rob other apartments where they are staying. A lot of that is blamed on other nationalities, The answer to that is if you want a good holiday without hassle. And you dont want a package tour. And you are booking your apartment yourself with a cheap flight. Be carefull, check out where you are booking into first.What kind of people are permanently renting in there? Its best to pay that little bit more and book into a tourist block that is well run, rather than into a block where there are people struggling to pay the rent. As the wages are low here but the rents in the tourist areas are very high. The finances dont add up in a situation like that.
The canarians are on low pay Yes. But in there towns living normal everyday lives they have much cheaper rents,And where they live (in normality )they only pay 60cents for a coffee in the local cafes to them. If you want to live here, YOU HAVE TO GET REAL. if you can only afford to rent then rent in the canarian suburbs, Live as the natives do Then you will manage and have a lovely life even if you are only a barworker.
There are old fashioned values here and the inhabitants of this island are determined to keep them (and good on them to) I would never hold with any violence in any shape or form, BUt whats happening these days in england to old folkes and children. I agree with what the criminals get here off the police, (They deserve all they get) The police here have it all weighed up,And are on the ball. Tauro beach inhabitants are also the villains around that area,Not all of them but where you get rundown areas like that you get people squatting (of all nationalities) The manager of the spar in playa del cura is on the ball as well, when that lot from there go stealing in his shop or trying to pickpocket in there All the staff in there go after them restle them to the floor and hand them over to the police. There is always help on this island if you have anytrouble like that. But here The crime is only in the tourist areas. But lets be honest any tourist areas in britain are only the same. At least here you dont get knifed as well.

[nav]

Hi everyone
well having read this thread dont know if to take cards or travellers cheque. iknow there have been thefts from safes in hotels and cash machines ????robberys is any one safe ? wot do you do???????

[big jim]

nav
its as safe as anywere just keep your whits about you as you would in england alot of the robberys are walking in you apartment when you leave doors and windows open would you do this in the uk the answer is no so if you dont do it here you should be ok cards and travellers chq are best cause you can cancel and get replacements but with cash once its gone its gone

[Stephen]

I agree with a lot written about romanians. But my experience was 4 men of different nationalities. Ukraine, polish and 2 morrocans. in playa del cura
i was working there at the time and an english tourist came running into the office, with a piece of plastic in her hand saying shed had touble at the cash machine, Shed got her money out but the card would not come back out. So she pulled on the thick bit of the card entrance it came off in her hand, out popped her missing bank card but also a long piece of plastic, a man ran up to her shouting that shed broken the cash machine, snatched one bit of plastic off her , so she hung on to the other and ran in to me with it. I got the police but while they were on there way, the man came back again, presumably thinking he could still get the other piece of plastic off her, as it was part of his (tools) to steal bank cards with.



THAT IS CALLED A LEBANESE LOOP , they are very very frequently used in the UK , in fact there is a cash point on Portland Street in Manchester(nearest for Chinatown, and a lot of the student bars so thats why its so busy) which is the 3rd busiest in the uk accirding to reports and a lebanese loop was put in their on a friday night last year , they got away with £100,000 from the machine alone , luckily they got caught by CCTV but not till they had taken the money out of the accts also there was aprogramme on ITV about it last week where they are getting a lot of problems with this sort of theft in London and in most cities



http://www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Crimes/InPerson/atm_scams.htm theres a fewmore, they did say that places like train stations are widely targetted and machines that a reknown for being used a lot . like the one above in MANCHESTER

[K T]

We witnessed a mugging on the sea wall path from PC to Amadores beach about 22.00 two weeks ago close to Bahia Blanca, at a position where the lighting had failed. Two teenagers knocked over a man & stole a bag that his wife was carrying, they looked like local
lads as they passed us, but on reflection could well have been Romanians.
We never walked that path again after dark.

Take Care.

Top Cat
:glare:

Did you not try to stop them??? as they passed you.

[Stephen]

Did you not try to stop them??? as they passed you.


to be honest KT would you , with the knife culture nowadays and the stories youhere off people who have HAD A GO and ended up in a coffin , its not worth anyones life :veryangry::veryangry:

[shirley]

I Would have walked away FAST but phoned the police on my mobile.

[Stephen]

The police over here also reccomend THAT if you are caught out with the Lebanese loop trick OR think you hav euse a mobile while stood in fromnt of the machine to report it , so really take a mobile if possible with you whenever you draw money out , what happens is people leave the machine to ring and in teh time they have got to their apts etc the gangs have taken as much as possible out of the acct , before the card is stopped

[richt71]

THAT IS CALLED A LEBANESE LOOP , they are very very frequently used in the UK , in fact there is a cash point on Portland Street in Manchester(nearest for Chinatown, and a lot of the student bars so thats why its so busy) which is the 3rd busiest in the uk accirding to reports and a lebanese loop was put in their on a friday night last year , they got away with £100,000 from the machine alone , luckily they got caught by CCTV but not till they had taken the money out of the accts also there was aprogramme on ITV about it last week where they are getting a lot of problems with this sort of theft in London and in most cities



http://www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Crimes/InPerson/atm_scams.htm theres a fewmore, they did say that places like train stations are widely targetted and machines that a reknown for being used a lot . like the one above in MANCHESTER

Yes it's happened a few times here in York where a lot of money has been nicked from people's accounts with the lebanese loop.
I always try to use a 'indoor' cash machine but if not possible I cover my hand while typing my pin in as recommended by police. I also check the card slot. The crime is 2 parts. A small plastic card skimmer that either keeps crads or reads the card details and a small camera that watches you input your pin. By covering your hard while typing the pin in even if they take your card they won't know your pin. Very simple and something I do automaticly..please people do the same.

[Top Cat]

Did you not try to stop them??? as they passed you.

I reply (after 2 months). The fact is that they had already passed me by about 100 yards when I heard shouting outside the Palace exit, when I turned the lady was on the ground, & the lads were running off towards Amadores. I am not SUPERMAN, & I dont carry my phone at this time of the day.

:cry:

[mazzy]

I am going to Gloria Palace on 16th October, it is my first visit and i would like to ask is it safe to walk the coastal path to PR after dark or are muggings common.

My son and his mates went there in June and only had good things to say but they are young and fit and in a group so I don't think they would be targetted.

We are in our 50's and not as fit as we were. I don't normally worry about this but the post here got me thinking and i just wondered how often it happens.

[shirley]

Fine in the daytime, I have done it at night, in my fifties also, But then ive heard of at least one mugging there on here somewhere, so best not to.

[Irishwhite]

I've gotten into the habit of using my wallet or card holder to cover the pinpad when I'm entering a PIN at an ATM.:nodding:

[twodogs]

It maybe the Romanians robbing/dipping in Mogan and at the airport but be careful in PDI where large groups of black women surround unsuspecting tourists and nick their wallets and purses. They get moved on by the coppers but always find somewhere new. I was given the advice never to make eye-contact with them (whilst holding onto your wallet). However, i am always surprised at what tourists take out for a walk with them - passport, all their cards, load of dosh - not necessary is it?

[wendy the geordie]

it was the last day of our holiday on the 24th of february and we had to be out of our villa by ten. as our flight didn't leave till six we decided to spend some time in pdi on the way to the airport. bad mistake! we were just wondering along beside the beach on the walkway when this man approached my husband and asked if he wanted to buy some sunglasses. when he refused the man then went on to offer him some hash and asking if he would like to get high. i was gobsmacked as my husband had our two children with him. my young daughter then asked what hash was. my husband made a hasty retreat and walked away. i stood beside mcdonalds for a while to take shelter form the wind which was blowing sand everywhere and again the sunglasses man approached a women on her own with a baby. i watched and it looked like he was holding a small bag in his hand and was thrusting it into this ladys hand. i knew exactly what it was and for the second time that day i was left gobsmacked!!:ohmy: needless to say i think it comes to something when you cannot even go for a stroll with your kids on holiday without being approached by the local drug dealer. will stick with pr thanks

[kisskaz]

They get everywhere because society treats foreign people as second class citizens. Give them jobs and pay them well - they wont need to steal then, will they ?

[big craig]

They get everywhere because society treats foreign people as second class citizens. Give them jobs and pay them well - they wont need to steal then, will they ? but do these sort of people want to work and do a ten hour shift when they can earn treble that selling drugs and stealing? leave that for you to decide.

[pauld]

Ive had plenty of english offer me drugs in the Kasba.

Why no thread on that?

[AL_M]

so kazz if i come round and rob your house
and a few of your neighbours will you give me a greart job with great pay to make me stop?

[john47]

they should be reported right away to police then deported back to were they came from

[MARCUS]

Well on a more serious note..........
we seem to be having a few problems with " pick pockets" in the markets and the shopping centres.(as everywhere in the world).I am also " still amazed " ( " it doesn't take a lot to amaze me viewers" ) of the amount of people who are still " strolling about" with purses and wallets holding all of the credit cards with the pin numbers written down next to them.

NEVER HAVE YOUR PIN NUMBERS WRITTEN DOWN WITH YOUR CREDIT CARDS!

For the thieves it's like " a gift from the gods"
Thankyou.

Marcus
:no:

[papaclio]

Well on a more serious note..........
we seem to be having a few problems with " pick pockets" in the markets and the shopping centres.(as everywhere in the world).I am also " still amazed " ( " it doesn't take a lot to amaze me viewers" ) of the amount of people who are still " strolling about" with purses and wallets holding all of the credit cards with the pin numbers written down next to them.

NEVER HAVE YOUR PIN NUMBERS WRITTEN DOWN WITH YOUR CREDIT CARDS!

For the thieves it's like " a gift from the gods"
Thankyou.

Marcus
:no:



Pick pocketing has become a job to some people just like we go to our work they are second third maybe even fourth generation pick pockets

I have seen them in action in Barcelona and Paris `It is as Marcus says a world wide problem "

We have to be aware and take the right precautions

But the most important thing if dipped is to report it

So the police can see if there are hot spots and they may do something about it if enough offenses are reported


.

[barnstyke]

We’ve sat and watched ( from a far) the gang that works the 3 shells and a pea scam. We were so sure that some of the crowd that was watching were being robbed by pick pockets as they watched. We think there’s around 6 to 8 of them in the gang, 6 working around the table and 2 look outs. My advise would be to just keep walking.
Is it me!!!!! or is it the same well dressed old Spanish looking guy that we see every year making the starting bets to get marks (people or even fools) involved. If nobody is around they just sit back very quiet and wait for the next mark, then they spring to life.

I’m sure if the police really wanted to stamp it out, it wouldn’t be too much of a problem.:banghead:

Daz.

[andyha]

Just returned from Mogan and would like to say thanks to Rab C for the pictures of the scammers on the PR to Amordoras walk way.
We saw them and I pointed out to my wife the look out etc, however after walking past them and ignoring them a guy came over to me and said oh I see you didn't fall for that then, I said I had seen it all before and carried on.
Halfway along the walk my wife said that we were being followed and to stop and look over the wall to sea. Every time we stopped a spanish guy stopped just behind us.
We carried on walking and then stopped for about 5 minutes and this guy walked past us but then stopped and pretended to take pictures of flowers with his mobile (if he was into flowers then I'm a brain surgeon) we were now obviously aware that he had an interest in us and I told my wife to walk with her bag between us.
We carried on and as we came down to the beach he was still behind us.
As we went onto the beach a police car drove up along the beach very slowly, I then checked behind and this guy was gone. Where he went I don't know.
We have been going to GC for the last 14 years and have never had a problem. This guy may have been genuine but he was quite big and obviously not a tourist as he had jeans and a T shirt on.
Although being in my late forties I am not excatly small and have never had any problems with people at home so was suprised that this guy thought he could possibly rob/mug us, this led me to believe that he may not have been working alone.
Anyway if you are going to GC don't let this put you off as the people are great and very friendly but don't let your guard down just because you are on holiday.
Also can I just say a special thanks to Lou and Dave at Ma Bakers who helped us out with our late arrival.

[liam]

well said in your post...this is a terrible situation and only seems to affect the walkway.......I imagine it would not take much police action to solve this problem...........

personally i'm not too intimidated by them..........but I do simply walk past them and pay no notice.........I have however seen people being intimidated by theese guys, however they do stop and watch.......

theese people are SCUM....keep well away...dont stop........and dont pay any attention to them...good advice!

[GUS]

Cheers Marcus & everyone else for the info about the romanian thieves i'll be on my gaurd when i visit gc next

[xxxjojoxxx]

Feeling a little scared now cos when your in a chair you are vunerable. In nine years never had a problem home or abroad but not happy now :no:

[Stuartied]

Not sounding very good at all, we normally use that path all the tim, maybe not this year...

[BIG TONY]

I think a bit of over reaction is creeping in here. Yes it's great to be made aware of the various tricksters and bums that unfortunatly frequent are favourite holiday destinations, but for them to affect my holiday "Oh No" not a chance of that. Just go about your hols as normal and completely ignore these undesirables as if they don't exist, avoid contact and if challenged just take no notice and keep walking. For the record I've only ever seen the eggcup guys operating in the park between the beach and the centre !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[andyha]

Didn't mean to worry anyone, just wanted to point out not to let your guard down because you are on holiday.
Don't let these people put you off your holiday, I didn't.
You can have the same things happen in any town or city in the UK but that doesn't stop you going out does it.
As Big Tony says a bit of over reaction.

[barnstyke]

Don’t see the problem here, if you don’t stop and interact with them you’ll never have a problem. The only reason to highlight this is to tell people to just keep walking. Never seen them harass anyone that’s walking passed and minding their own business. We walk around Puerto Rico everyday day of our holiday and its quite rare for us to see them, the whole point of this tread is awareness.

Daz:wink:

[coolcreen]

A lady recently travelled on the No 01 Global bus from the airport to Puerto Rico. She placed her small case with all of her belongings in the luggage compartment. A number of bus stops later, just by chance, she noticed her case had been removed from the bus by an African lady with a child. In a matter of seconds, she got off the bus and challenged her. Her response was " I had to remove your case to gain access to my large black case" As they were talking, a gentle breeze knocked the large black case over. From the way it fell and moved about in the footpath, it was obviously empty. Suspect the little case would have found a new home in the big case if it's owner had not spotted it's removal from the bus.

[barnstyke]

Police crack down on fake goods in the south of the island.

http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16041&Itemid=9

Daz.

[jaycar]

I just think to be safe you just have to use a bit of common sense and not make it too easy for anyone to either scam you or steal your belongings. I guess a bit of planning beforehand would be a good idea. i learned the hard way many years ago when I lost an expensive laptop at the airport. My fault off course but hey, I was a lot younger at the time..:)