Scam in United KingdomOn the street
Free flowers and lucky heather demands in United Kingdom
How it works
Someone hands you a flower or 'lucky heather', sometimes claiming it is free or for charity. They later demand payment or a donation. A purse of supposed donations may be shown to pressure you. Paying can reveal where you keep your cash to a pickpocket.
Warning signs
- A stranger puts a flower in your hand or on your table.
- The charity claim is vague.
- A supposed gift becomes a demand for money.
How to avoid it
- Refuse the flower clearly.
- Hand it back or leave it behind and walk away.
- Do not open your wallet to end the conversation.
If it happens to you
Return or leave the flower and move away. At an outdoor table, ask staff for help if the seller keeps pressuring you.
- Move to a safe, busy place. Do not chase a thief or confront anyone carrying a weapon.
- Call 999 or 112 if you are threatened, injured or being held against your will. For a crime that does not need an emergency response, call 101.
- Freeze missing cards and contact your card issuer about unauthorised or forced payments. If your phone was stolen, lock it remotely and contact your mobile provider.
- Save receipts, booking details, messages and payment records. Write down the location, time and what happened while you remember it.
- Report the incident to the relevant police or transport staff. Ask for a report reference and contact your insurer.
- If your passport is missing, contact your embassy or consulate through its official contact details.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Redditr/london2023is it me or there's been an increase of scammers inside the trains?A passenger reports women forcing flowers into passengers’ hands on the District line and seeing another passenger pay £5.Read on Reddit
- TripadvisorLondon ForumHeather/Flower scammers near Marble Arch - London ForumForum participants warn visitors about heather and flower scammers operating near Marble Arch.Read on Tripadvisor
- WebWikivoyageLondon – Travel guide at WikivoyageThe community guide describes unsolicited flowers and lucky heather followed by requests for payment or purported charitable donations.Read on Web
Questions
What is the free flowers and lucky heather demands scam in United Kingdom?
Someone hands you a flower or 'lucky heather', sometimes claiming it is free or for charity. They later demand payment or a donation. A purse of supposed donations may be shown to pressure you. Paying can reveal where you keep your cash to a pickpocket.
How can I spot it early?
A stranger puts a flower in your hand or on your table. The charity claim is vague. A supposed gift becomes a demand for money.
How do I avoid free flowers and lucky heather demands in United Kingdom?
Refuse the flower clearly. Hand it back or leave it behind and walk away. Do not open your wallet to end the conversation.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Return or leave the flower and move away. At an outdoor table, ask staff for help if the seller keeps pressuring you.
Where in United Kingdom does this happen?
Streets and outdoor dining tables. It has been reported in London.
How common is this scam in United Kingdom?
Occasional. The United Kingdom is generally safe to visit, but tourists can face theft, street cons and misleading prices. London has several scams aimed at visitors, including rigged street games, ticket-machine theft and costly currency exchange. Watch your phone, refuse pushy offers and check prices before paying.
Are there similar scams in United Kingdom?
Yes: cup and ball betting game, pushy performers and paid-photo demands, false monk donation requests.
Who can I report it to?
Emergency services: call 999 or 112 for an immediate serious threat to life or safety. Ask for the service you need and give your exact location, including the town or city. Local police: call 101 to report a crime or concern that does not need an emergency response. In London, the Metropolitan Police covers most of the city; the City of London Police covers the City of London. British Transport Police: speak to an officer or station staff about railway incidents. For the tissue-selling scam on trains, text 61016 when above ground. ATM premises or bank: tell staff if a machine has suspicious attachments or appears altered. Also report it to police on 101, or 999 in an emergency. Do not try to remove a device. Card issuer or bank: use the official banking app or a verified contact number to freeze cards and report suspicious, unauthorised or forced payments. Mobile provider: use the provider's official contact channel to report a stolen phone and block the SIM. Embassy or consulate: contact your country's embassy or consulate through its official contact details if your passport is stolen or you need document assistance. Travel insurer or rental company: report the loss through their official claims or support channel. Keep the police reference, receipts and supporting records.
What number do I call in an emergency in United Kingdom?
Emergency police, ambulance, fire and rescue: 999, Alternative emergency number: 112, Non-emergency police: 101.
Reviewed by @snuck