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Step 1
Exercise caution in crowded public areas with many different types of people. Tourist attractions and other areas where a high concentration of travelers gather (like near hotels or shopping locations) may also be prime locations for this scam.
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Step 2
Stay alert when walking down the street. A scammer may consider you an attractive target if you seem to be engrossed in a conversation with another traveler, are interested in some of the sights offered at the location or are otherwise not paying attention to your surroundings.
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Step 3
Notice if someone in front of you drops an item. This scammer will likely be an older woman with a shopping bag or a child, but can also be anyone with an easily dropped item.
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Step 4
Keep moving as the scammer attempts to pick up the item from the ground. She will likely affect an injury or play on her old age to allow her accomplices time to approach you. Scammers that are not old may pretend to be confused or frustrated.
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Step 5
Know that her accomplices are only a few steps behind you. During the diversion, the accomplices will rob you of any shopping bags, handbags or other valuable, detachable items in your possession. Some accomplices even employ the use of a razor to slice through your handbag straps so that they can run off with it.
