Comments on: Confiscating My Brother’s Memory Card in Italy

By: Tony Anastasi

Tony Anastasi — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:42:48 +0000

Just got back from trip around Egypt. Oh man, the scammers at every tourist stop is unreal.. hundreds of them. Best ones are the free camel rides, free to get on, $50 pounds to get of the stinking thing haha..

in Egypt $50 pounds lets you shoot anything and everything you want from anywhere.. just carry a ton of them and never bring your wallet out into view as the price seems to go up when they see your cash haha.. learned that one with the camel guy who i got scammed $250 pounds to get off the stinky camel .. sister only paid $50 pounds but they separated up by a long distance so we couldn’t bargin together haah

2nd best scammers are the guys inside the tombs, no photos signs are everywhere, if you get spotted taking a snap inside they grab your camera from your hands and turn and walk off to a hidden area and saying no photos here. Then if you really want your camera back you have to bargain for it, a $50 pound note will get it back after a lot of arguments… ( they really put on a good show about being serious about no photos haha)

My little sister got done with her tiny sony w300, i was like, oh crap.. watched her put on her sad face ( we were told by our guild this would happen ) and then trying to put on tears, funny as.. still cost her $50 though..
meanwhile i had a nikon d3 on my neck making a bracket racket in the tombs while little sister kept him busy haha. as we were walking out i spotted a asian girl running after a guard crying for her camera back also..

and sometimes just offering a packet of smokes ( $2pounds ) can get you out of a spot of nagging for notes too.

By: Giacomo

Giacomo — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:11:29 +0000

I wouldn’t assume it was a scam, maybe the guy really was in charge, but was too lazy to actually enforce anything if someone refuses to do what he’s told. Or maybe he was a police officer / carabiniere, and is used to certain “publicly seize and privately resell” schemes that are fairly common among the Forces.
Mind, in Italy the Police and Carabinieri do have some sweeping powers, including the right to drag you to a Police Station and spend a few hours “confirming your identity” if you don’t carry the national ID (which is why countries without an ID scheme shouldn’t introduce it: it’s a trojan horse to then define the right for the police to arbitrarily seize you). However, they can also be a lazy bunch, as it’s in our national spirit and they earn little enough to be easily corruptible.

By: cashaw

cashaw — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 09:05:46 +0000

I grew up in Europe, and you could always spot the American Tourist with big fat wallets in their back pockets, and cameras about the neck. Wallet goes in front pocket followed by your hand. Camera, and purses go over one should and under your arm. Women do not carry big purses. Wear basic colours, and nothing flashy. Do not carry cash, but purchase an American Express gift card. Purchase a phrase book, and learn a couple of phrases. I have found if you at least attempt to speak the language people will leave you alone. Eyes up, and make eye contact, and notice people around you. Walk like you have a purpose in life. Why do the police not get involved, because you are though of by many as the rich, stupid American, and the thief is Robin Hood. Insure your valuables for foreign travel before you leave. Before you go to any European Country, spend a week day or two walking around NyC. Basically stay alert stay alive!

By: Camera Memory Card Scam : FraudO.com

Camera Memory Card Scam : FraudO.com — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 07:30:13 +0000

[...] the full post here. 12 July, 2008 | Filed Under [...]

By: http://ecshopq.com/» Blog Archive » Exploiting the War on Photography

http://ecshopq.com/» Blog Archive » Exploiting the War on Photography — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:32:41 +0000

[...] thieves are exploiting the war on photography in Genoa: As they were walking around, Jeff saw some interesting looking [...]

By: gox

gox — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:04:18 +0000

alright, so if you take out a camera somewhere in an european store you have to watch out for a cheap con.

try taking a couple of pics of an US Airport Security Guard and see what happens to your camera then..

By: clickblog

clickblog — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 23:17:51 +0000

Attenzione alle truffe con finti guardiani…

Jeff Kelby, fratello di Scott, Ã¨ stato recentemente in visita a Genova e come ogni fotografo ha colto l’occasione per fare qualche foto.
Durante la visita si sono fermati a comprare da bere da portare in albergo e mentre si guardavano attorno,…

By: Robert

Robert — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:21:34 +0000

@Ken on July 7th, 2008 at 9:50 am

it’s not so fun, i remember in the 1980s in times square manhattan, on 42nd st and 6th ave. there was a japanese businessman/tourist and his wife playing this con game on the corner. the guy had a large roll of hundred dollar bills in his hand, his wife next to him had a pissed look on his face because he was playing this game.

all of a sudden this 6 foot tall black man jumped from the crowd (he was probably one of the lookout for the con game), picked up this small japanese guy, lifted him high into the air, then violently slammed him down onto the sidewalk, i hrd his head crack.

all the bystanders just ran for their lives.

By: New way to steal memory cards « Later On

New way to steal memory cards « Later On — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:20:20 +0000

[...] in Daily life at 2:20 pm by LeisureGuy Just ask for them. From Bruce Schneier: Petty thieves are exploiting the war on photography in Genoa: As they were walking around, Jeff saw some interesting looking [...]

By: cleek » Confiscating Your Memory

cleek » Confiscating Your Memory — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:29:11 +0000

[...] Here is a neat little (possible) scam to get some free memory cards from people taking pictures with digital cameras. Be sure to read the comments where people describe a whole bunch of other scams and set-ups. Filed under: Uncategorized — cleek @ 11:28 am [...]

By: Infotron » Blog Archive » Con-artists join the war on photographers

Infotron » Blog Archive » Con-artists join the war on photographers — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:22:29 +0000

[...] Link [...]

By: the flying dutchman

the flying dutchman — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:07:00 +0000

Tourists make easy marks, anywhere. Especially if they very obviously look like tourists.

I was in Milan 2 weeks ago, and since I do not go there that often, I did bring my equipment bag and held my camera in my right hand (with the strap wrapped around my wrist) almost all the time. The camera, btw, is an old Yashica 108, 35mm SLR, not God knows what, but with its 28-80 fitted it certainly looks impressive.

Apart from a few dodgy guys asking for a cigarette, I didn’t get hassled. Obviously, in the very crowded metro carriages I had to keep alert but more in order to avoid inadvertently shoving the heavy lens up someone’s nose rather than for fear of someone lifting my stuff.

And btw, photography apparently is not allowed on the Milan metro - which is a pity really. No grief with badge-flashing security guards though, just an employee politely pointing at the camera and wagging her finger.