The feeling of excitement made the Singaporean female tourist “burn” 200 euros for the game on the streets of Paris, but she soon realized she was scammed.
Clara Lock, writer by Straits Timeshas heard many warnings about the “city of love” Paris. From the Eurostar train with her friend living in London, she was told to be alert because the Gare du Nord station was full of people trying to steal her phone.
Officials Paris also issued countless warnings about pickpockets on the subway. The city is continuously in the top 10 most visited destinations in the world but this also attracts fraud groups in increasing numbers after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Marnie Wilking, Chief Security Officer of Booking.comsays travel scams have increased 900% in the past 18 months, mainly related to artificial intelligence. However, in real life, scammers still use the same old tricks.
When Clara went to the famous Sacre-Coeur Basilica during her first visit to Paris in October 2023, she saw lanyard scammers. They pretend to be friendly, tie a “friendship” string around your neck or finger and then demand money. Around the park or church, long lines of scammers stand waiting to catch some unwary tourists.
Tourists in the Eiffel Tower area, Paris. Image: Reuters
One of them said hello to Clara, but she was conscious enough to leave, stuffing her hands deep into her pockets. If caught in a trap, they usually demand about 20 euros for each bracelet.
But Clara falls into the trap of those playing “cup and ball” on the streets of Paris. This is a classic trick – a man shuffles three cups and the ball will fall under one of these three cups. If you choose the correct cup with the ball, you win and get double the amount you spent.
“You know you’re not going to win,” she said.
However, Clara stopped to watch and saw a winner of 200 euros, which was paid instantly. To increase the appeal, the scammer also reveals an empty cup first for the player to choose between the remaining two cups. Combined with the somewhat slow shuffling movement, Clara was sure she had won.
In the end, she lost the first 100 euros. The scammer said he would let her get it back in the next game. Another person chose to enter the empty cup. The crowd behind her seemed to support her, constantly giving her tips on which cup to choose. In her mind, Clara thought there was no way she could lose again, feeling excited like “holding a pair of aces in her hand”.
Above Reddita person posted about losing 200 euros participating in a “cup and ball” game in Paris and was criticized by many as “stupid” and “deserving of losing money”. That’s why many victims do not want to reveal their identities. They don’t want to be silly and psychologists say these people often experience emotions of “shame, anger and helplessness”.
Cup and ball scammer in Florence, Italy. Image: Clara Lock
Clara’s husband has repeatedly warned her about the rope trick because he himself ran away from scammers demanding money in 2009. However, Clara’s husband never mentioned that he also lost 50 euros for the “cup and ball” trick. in Rome, Italy that same year. When talking about the scam she experienced on social networks, several of Clara’s friends also revealed that they had been victims.
Clara lost 200 euros quickly and became desperate. She realized she had been caught up in a scam and begged them to return her money. The scammer put the money in his pocket, the crowd of supporters from earlier showed their unpleasant attitude, she understood that they were his accomplices.
“We play too, we also lose money,” the two guys pushed Clara away and said loudly.
Angry, she shouted “scammers” in the middle of a crowded street. During a krav maga martial arts course in 2022, Clara was taught a self-defense tip to avoid direct confrontation: to shout loudly to attract attention. The coach named Kim taught her that attackers always look for easy targets to bully. If you are not one of them, they will also be afraid and not want to get involved with the law.
The crowd of about 8 people, seemingly Eastern Europeans, did not give up easily. Two men and a woman surrounded Clara, pushed her, and the person who shuffled the cup from earlier spat in her face.
“Pay me,” Clara shouted several times, continuously tugging on the scammer’s coat. However, later, Clara thought that if she could do it again, she would choose another way. In that situation, Clara was really lucky because the other 8 people were just scammers, not thugs – they could use guns or knives.
Finally, the cup shuffler threw a wad of money at Clara, about 70% of Clara was tricked. She grabbed it and found a safe nearby supermarket to avoid. The seller knew about it, apologized on behalf of Paris and suggested that he and the female tourist go to the police. This person also confirmed that similar things often happen here.
10 minutes later, Clara returned and the scammers had packed up all their belongings. She believes they will return the next day. Although she didn’t call the police, she promised the seller she would warn other tourists.
Two months later, at the famous sunset spot Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence, Italy, she saw an Asian woman being caught up in the same trick. This person lost money in the first round and seems to be wondering whether to play a second time?
“It’s a scam,” Clara said. The female tourist smiled wryly, pulling her friend away sadly. In the past, teachers often taught Clara to be quiet, mind her own business, and stay out of trouble. Therefore, she was also hesitant about meddling in other people’s affairs while in Florence.
According to Kim, Asian women tend to avoid making a big deal out of it, while Westerners react strongly, ready to face the appearance of troublemakers and scammers. In Europe, where borders are open, police are sometimes incompetent or unbothered by scammers.
“The best way is to give advance warning and I’m ready to tell my story,” Clara said.