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Avoiding Common Tourist Scams In London England
If your traveling to the city of London, England and especially for the first time, then be sure to check out these very popular …
🕵 Popular London Travel Scams
It’s always good to make yourself aware of these forms of crime, before traveling to a new destination. It definitely can prevent you from becoming a victim of this type of 🚔 criminal behavior.
These types of scams are found in most any popular tourist destination in the 🌎 world.
Over 15 million people visit London annually, making this a very desirable location for Scammers to Prey on Tourists.
More Popular London Travel Scams In The City
Electronic Devices
With London’s population well over 8 million people, it’s easy for 🚔 criminals who prey on tourists, to hide in the dense crowds and pounce on unsuspecting visitors.
One of the most popular London Travel Scams and thefts among tourists are; 📱 Cell Phones 📱
Usually thieves will work in pairs, in very popular and busy trendy areas with; shopping, bars and restaurants. If they see you with your 📱 cell phone or tablet, one of the individuals will approach you, and cause a distraction of some sort.
The other person quickly grabs your electronic device, and is gone!
Younger kids on 🚴 bicycles, have been known to ride up to you and snatch your device quickly. Last reported, there are over {300 cellphones stolen} every day in London. This especially during the peak tourist season.
They are then sold off at used cell phone and electronic device shops.
✔ Be aware of your surrounding always and never leave your phone or device unattended, or out in the open for someone to grab from you.
✔ Don’t bury your head and get lost in your device as so many do these days, without looking around and being aware of what’s going on around you!
Pickpockets
One of the busiest areas and attractions in London for tourists is; {Trafalgar Square} and with this, comes a huge criminal element of thieves.
In particular, pickpocket artists who also and in many cases, like to work in pairs. These people are so quick and very clever. In most cases, you won’t have any idea that your wallet has been taken from you, until you notice it missing later on.
They will also use a distraction of some sort to grab your attention, while the other simply, grabs your wallet and/or valuables. This distraction can be bumping into you, which is very popular on; 🚉 Subway Trains or congested areas.
For example, a person pretending to be a tourist, will will approach and ask you to take their 📸 photo. Often, they will then drop something on the ground, pretending that it was yours, grabbing your attention.
The other grabs what they can while you’re distracted!
I’ve mentioned this before in previous articles and is soooo important to remember, for both men and women. Picketing is one of the leading London Travel Scams that visitors are victims of. Not just in London, but this is common in heavily populated tourist zones around the world.
Men
Never carry a wallet in your back pocket!
Keep it hidden away, or secure in a front pocket. If you can manage without it in high traffic areas, that is always best.
Women
Try to never carry an unzipped open type 👜 purse with you. Always keep it well guarded and tight in front of you, especially in heavily congested areas.
Beware Of Human Statues In Popular Tourist Areas
If you travel a fair bit and in particular to popular tourist destinations such as London, then I’m sure you have run into these; 🗽 Human Statues on streets and sidewalks.
You know the ones that dress up and act as if they are frozen and don’t move a muscle, to grab your attention!
Well, a few of these individuals also work with pickpockets in crowded tourist areas, or they use these zones to prey on people. While your attention is focused on this statue person, the other simply swipes your wallet. Easier still, are those tourists that carry an open purse. Bad Idea!
Quick and easy for them!
Nightclubs And Bars
For those people who like to enjoy partying into the wee hours at 🍹 nightclubs and bars, beware of this; “False Friend Scam.”
Another top on the list of London Travel Scams, is where a complete stranger will befriend you in or outside a bar or nightclub. For example, this person/s will ask if you would like to continue to party with them elsewhere.
Don’t fall into this trap!
It’s so easy to do, especially while on vacation and where you may have had a little too much to drink. They will ask you for as much cash as they can, to buy more liquor and other items.
These criminals will simply take your money and be gone!
It’s great to party, but remember you are in unfamiliar territory. Criminals will be watching you and make you a target for them, whenever they possibly can.
Never go anywhere with a stranger alone at night, you are just asking for trouble!
In many bars in the {Soho District} that offer lady entertainers, you will be charged a; door fee and inflated prices for a simple drink. As well and it is quite common, as in many touristy areas around the world, to be charged for drinks you never even purchased.
You will not be able to leave the premise until you pay and in many cases, this can be a very dangerous situation!
Many years ago when I was much younger, this exact scam happened to our group. We were in a popular beach resort destination abroad, while enjoying our vacation. We partied at a very busy restaurant/bar and when it was time to pay the bill, there were a number of extra charges for drinks added on to it.
We simply had to 💵 pay or go to jail!
These are just a few of the more popular London, England Tourist Travel Scams to be aware of. Much like that of most any popular tourist destinations around the world, tourist scams are everywhere!
We’ve traveled to London on a few occasions over the years and have loved each visit. With taking a few precautions and using common sense in heavily tourist zones, we’ve never become the victim of scams such as these.
🗺 Check out the {Google Map} box at the bottom of this post for London’s exact location. 🗺
😎 Safe and Healthy Travels! 😎
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✨ Did You Know …
🍂 London Travel Tips – For A Cheaper Vacation
🍂 Vacation Rental Scams – To Be Aware Of
🍂 A Colorful Tourist Scams – Infographic
🍹 Don’t Forget It … Be Sure To Pin It! 🍹
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