How to Spot the Thrown Baby Travel Scam
The Thrown Baby Travel Scam starts with the set up of a woman, a baby (or something that looks like a baby) and an unsuspecting tourist. The scam depends on the tourist's reflexes and the assumption that someone would not allow a baby fall to the ground.
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Instructions
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Look out for the scam on the crowded streets of a foreign country.
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Identify a woman wearing dark colored clothing so as to blend in with the crowd. Although the woman could be wearing anything, dark colors help her conceal her identity.
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Notice that the woman has a bundle meant to look like a baby near her chest. The woman may hold the bundle as if she were breastfeeding and it may be covered with a shawl to conceal the part of the bundle that would show the baby's face. She may also employ the use of a real baby.
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Suspect a scam if the woman suddenly throws the baby at you.
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Realize that if you react by catching the baby in your arms and preventing its fall to the ground you could easily fall victim to the scam.
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Expect your pockets to be picked by the woman or her accomplices while you hold the baby and are disoriented.
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Listen as you're accused of trying to steal the baby. The woman will likely scream and fuss over the baby in your arms before she grabs it and rushes away.
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Tips & Warnings
A variation of this scam occurs when the woman throws the baby at you, you catch it and the woman threatens to call the police because of what seems like a kidnapping attempt. She may try to extort money from you so that police will not become involved.
The woman's accomplices may be older children.
Use a money belt instead of keeping cash or valuables in your pockets.
