This is a scam that European tourists have been dealing with for years. While it can be found anywhere in the world, it has a large presence in Europe, especially France, Italy, and Spain. While the the initial comment may seem innocent, the way you answer, as well as your actions, can lead to unsafe results by others. Typically this scam is committed by gypsies or others as a way of begging. Those who use the scam find it very successful, especially if they find a first time European tourist who just wants to be help full.
How the Do You Speak English Scam" works
Those who use this scam look for those who appear to be from North America. They do this by listing to your conversation and by looking at how your dress. Once you are identified they look for some way to approach you and start a conversation. It could be that you look lost, are looking at a map, trying to figure out a metro ticket machine, or they see you asking tourist type questions. Some times they just straight out approach you. When they do they ask you "Do you speak English" or other variations such as "Are you American" or "Are you from USA."
When you say "yes" you are handed a piece of paper or note card that says something to the effect of "I am a refugee from... can you please assist". Another version of the card may have something written by the card holders brother and states that he is being held prisoner in Bosnia and in need of money to get out or eat. Their are many other written requests, but all are just different variations of the old Spanish Prisoner scam. The use of this scam is just a way to introduce a way to beg for money. While this may seem innocent. Once you start the conversation with one of these individuals, you could have a variety outcomes. You could be surrounded by other gypsy (typically kids) and bantered into giving them money.
They will sometimes swarm and pressure you into giving them something. It you say yes and reach in your wallet or pocket to give them money, one of the gypsies may grab your entire wallet and run off with it, or lastly, they will watch where you carry your wallet if you pull it out, knowing where to pickpocket you later.
Again, this may not happen every time, but it has been reported numerous times by travelers visiting Europe. Be very careful when dealing with these people. The best defense is not to acknowledge them at all. Just shake your head in the no position and walk away. Do don't want them to know that you speak English because once they do, they will sometimes begin to argue with you, or even follow you until you give them something. Some experienced travelers say to use caution with even replying to them in French, German
, Spanish Italian, as these people will just switch to that language in a flash. You might tell them something in an obscure (for them) language such as welsh or Irish if you know it. It doesn't matter what you say, so long as they don't know what - even if you just rattle off the numbers 1 to 5. But the best offense is to ignore them, do not talk to them, and seem disinterested. Use caution if you look away and turn your back from them - always make sure you keep an eye on your wallet and/or travel purse when you make contact with these folks.
The following are several examples of the "do you speak English scam" that travelers should be aware of.
"I was sitting near the Eiffel Tower waiting to board the coach when a young girl came up to me and asked if I spoke English, my first thought was that she needed help, as soon as I said yes she handed me a note I read the first few words something about being a refugee. She could probably tell from my tone of voice that she would not get anywhere with me."
"I looked away once, in Italy after being handed the card scam. The beggar that was asking for money thanked me by kicking me. I had to manhandle the beggar away from me - use caution when looking away when trying to ignore them."
"When we visited Paris a year ago May, a number of young women display a laminated index card, saying they have a brother who has cancer and needs money to help pay for his treatment otherwise he'll die. We were amazed at the number of sisters this young man has!!"
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