A stark warning has been issued to holidaymakers in Benidorm, with some having had thousands of pounds drained from their bank accounts.
Lucy, known as the Benidorm Enthusiast, recently took to the Benidorm Stuff channel on YouTube to outline the most prevalent scams tourists might encounter in the Spanish resort town.
Pickpocketing is “most definitely a problem in Benidorm”, Lucy said. She explained: “A high concentration of people makes for lots of opportunities for pickpockets to do their thing unnoticed. Add alcohol into the mix, which is obviously prevalent in Benidorm, it brings people’s guards down, ups vulnerability, and therefore these dirty pickpockets are in their element.”
Mobile phones are the “most common” items stolen, and Lucy suggested swapping your mobile for an older model when venturing out. She also detailed one specific scam that involves an “email sent to the phone owner after it’s been lost or stolen”.
She said: “The email says something along the lines of, ‘This phone has been found – click the link and enter your password to locate the phone’.” The link actually grants the thieves access to the phone and everything on it. “I’ve heard of thousands being wiped out of bank accounts using this scam,” she cautioned.
Lucy suggested the most common method used by thieves to get the phones is the “stealth method”. This involves dipping their hands into your pockets in crowded areas such as “markets, shopping streets and bars”. She also mentioned a distraction technique deployed by the notorious “Pea Men” of Benidorm. These scammers engage you in a rigged game involving a pea and some cups, while their accomplices scan for valuables and attempt to steal them.
Lucy went on to warn of “hugger muggers”. These individuals pose as tourists, strike up a conversation with you, give you a friendly hug before parting ways, all while pilfering your pockets. This tactic is particularly prevalent in bars showing football matches, where the thief pretends to be a fan and seizes the opportunity to swipe valuables when a goal is scored.
Another common con is the “lost tourist scam”, where an individual approaches you with a map, asking for help with directions, while slyly placing it over your belongings to swipe them while you’re distracted. Alternatively, a scammer might ask you to check directions on your phone, pretending to need assistance with directions, only to snatch it and make a swift escape as soon as you’ve unlocked it.