British holidaymakers heading to Spain are being alerted about a criminal tactic known as the ‘hug scam’, which has seen tourists stripped of thousands of pounds worth of items.
In cities like Madrid, this method of theft has surged, with police having confiscated approximately 41,000 euros (£33,908), eleven watches, and multiple jewellery items, according to reports from Spanish outlet Cope.
Journalist Pablo Munoz describes the scam involving a man and a woman who target an individual. The female collaborator embraces the person, diverting their focus.
During these brief moments of distraction, Munoz notes, the victim’s phone, cash, and other personal items are swiped. He explains that the culprits exploit a certain “nervousness” experienced by someone when an unknown person hugs them, taking the opportunity to steal “whatever they can”.
These cautions from Mr Munoz surface amidst growing concerns over the safety of British visitors in Spain, given their susceptibility to such scams and an increasing resentment from locals towards tourists, reports the Express.
Beyond the ‘hug scam’, would-be thieves on the Costa del Sol have adopted a ‘bird poo scam’, wherein they splatter what seems to be bird poo on tourists to divert and rob them.
In what results in a cunning ploy, the trickster feigns helpfulness by offering to clear up a mess only to nab the unwary victim’s phone, wallet, and more. Relating her experience to The Olive Press, Sue Oswick revealed how she and her husband fell prey to such a scam while on holiday.
She recounted: “We were both splattered with what we thought was bird c**p. This ‘nice’ man, who had just sat down on the next bench to us, jumped up and offered to help us clean ourselves up. He had water and tissues. He was helping to clean my husband’s shirt and shorts and then said we could keep the water to finish off. He then left.”
It wasn’t until after the seemingly kind stranger had gone that Sue recognized they’d been swindled, later realizing an attempt had been made to use her card at Mercadona.
Elsewhere, in the bustling resort of Benidorm, British YouTuber Lucy, based locally, warns that Brits are losing thousands as criminals make off with their phones.
Identified as the Benidorm Enthusiast, the Manchester Evening News conveyed her suggestion for residents to trade their new smartphones for older models, reducing the appeal and worth to potential robbers.