A private investigator has shared the warning signs that Brits should look out for when they’re on holiday, with some hidden dangers that could see people fall victim to scams
Brits set for a sunny getaway have been warned to keep an eye out for “slow walkers”, or risk becoming easy prey for crooks, says a private investigator.
Security whizz Paul Evans from I-Spy Detectives dished out vital advice to help holidaymakers steer clear of being conned or having their pockets picked. Though such incidents are uncommon, the impact can be crippling.
He’s put a spotlight on the swindles tourists might face, like cabbies taking long-winded, costlier routes and the too-helpful “good Samaritan” who offers to aid you around the underground, but made it clear that pickpocketing is still the biggest threat.
Crafty pickpockets scope out their targets with precision, often zoning in on those lost in distraction, maybe the jet-lagged tourist absorbed in their phone map or fussing over their bags.
He said: “Pickpockets don’t want to get caught so they will select their victims carefully. Often their victims are distracted and not concentrating on the environment around them, someone who’s looking at a map on their phone, or struggling with their baggage is a perfect target.”
Paul’s top tip for staying off the crooks’ radar: walk with purpose. “What you need to do is look confident, and have an idea where you are going when out in public, if you are stopping to check your map constantly then you are an easy target,” he instructs, reports the Express.
It’s also worth being aware of the methods used by criminals, some of which are time-honoured classics amongst thieves, including somebody apparently bumping into you or spilling something on you.
According to Paul, these antics could be bait while the offender’s mate rifles through your personal effects. His advice for such scenarios was to create some distance and try to put your back to a wall.
Paul, a security expert, has issued a stark warning for tourists about the dangers of street performers and slow walkers, which can be a distraction for pickpockets. “Never stop for street performers or watch out for slow walkers in front of you too. Once again these scenarios make it easy for you to get distracted and what will happen is a pickpocket will be going through your bag or pockets at the same time,” he cautions.
To outsmart potential thieves, Paul recommends using a decoy: a dummy wallet. He suggests filling an old wallet with expired cards and a bit of cash or even Monopoly money.
“You can then put this wallet in a pocket that is more exposed while keeping your real wallet hidden away, and if you are to become a victim of pickpocketing, the thieves are more than likely going to take this wallet rather than your real one, by the time the pickpocket has stolen from you, you will be out of their sight.”
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