Shoe Shine Scam is one of the well-known scams happening all over the world targeting tourists. Sadly, many people have become victims of this shoeshine scam especially in popular cities like Istanbul, Paris and have shared their experiences on TripAdvisor. To avoid faking victim of this scam, here is all you need to know.
About The Shoe Shine Scam
The shoe shine scam involves a shoe shiner who drops a brush near a tourist. When the tourist picks it up, the scammer insists on giving a “free” shoe shine. Afterward, they demand payment, often with added pressure or aggression. Sometimes, multiple scammers work together as a group to make the tourist feel pressured to pay.
How The Shoe Shine Scam Works
A shoe polisher might walk by and purposely drop his brush. When a kind tourist or foreigner picks it up and hands it back, the shoe polisher will act extremely grateful and offer to polish your shoes for free. If you agree, he’ll start telling you a sad story about a sick relative who needs money for medicine, hoping you’ll feel guilty and give him some cash. If a tourist refuses to pay the demanded amount, the shoe shiner may become aggressive, using pressure to force payment.
The best move is to ignore the dropped brush and keep walking.
Tips to Avoid Persistent Scammers
- Don’t Stop for Anyone: Avoid stopping if someone tries to get your attention.
- Refuse Handouts: Don’t accept anything, especially leaflets or flyers.
- Ignore Persistence: Scammers can be very determined, but it’s important to ignore them completely.
- Avoid Eye Contact: Don’t turn around or show interest in what they’re offering.
- Keep Walking: Stay focused on your path and don’t engage in any conversation.
Common Shoe Shine Scams
In some shoe shine scams, a group of scammers works together. One person starts the shoe shine, another encourages it, and a third pretends to be a bystander, pressuring the victim to pay by making them feel embarrassed or trapped.
In more advanced scams, while the victim is distracted by the shoe shine, another scammer steals their belongings. The idea is to keep the victim so focused on the shoe shine that they don’t notice what’s happening around them.
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Samantha