Spain: High Risk — watch out for pickpocketing & distraction theft.
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High Risk: Pickpocketing & distraction theft. Barcelona and Madrid see frequent, organized distraction theft — someone spills something on you, asks for directions, or stages a minor commotion while an accomplice takes your bag or phone. Stay alert on Las Ramblas, the Metro, and around major landmarks.
Spain: High Risk — watch out for pickpocketing & distraction theft. Barcelona and Madrid see frequent, organized distraction theft — someone spills something on you, asks for directions, or stages a minor commotion while an accomplice takes your bag or phone. Stay alert on Las Ramblas, the Metro, and around major landmarks.
A well-documented, actively-run scam catches tourists here regularly — read the note above carefully so you know exactly what to watch for.
Agree on prices before getting into a taxi, be skeptical of unusually friendly strangers steering you somewhere specific, and never sign anything or accept food/drinks from someone you just met. The single biggest risk for this destination is noted above — general street-smarts cover the rest.
Not at all — millions of tourists visit safely every year. Knowing the one scam pattern that catches people most often is simply the best, cheapest defense there is, since it's designed specifically to look harmless until it's too late.
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