Scam in ItalyTheft
Friendly drunk distraction in Italy
How it works
A thief pretends to be drunk and friendly. Once you relax or become distracted, they snatch your belongings.
Warning signs
- A stranger acts drunk and unusually friendly.
- They approach closely while drawing your attention away from your belongings.
How to avoid it
- Keep some distance from unexpected approaches.
- Keep hold of your belongings during conversations.
- Move on if the encounter feels intrusive.
If it happens to you
Ask nearby people for help and report the theft to police.
- Move to a safe, staffed place. If you are threatened or need urgent help, call 112.
- If a card or card details were stolen, contact your card issuer immediately. Freeze or cancel the card and flag unauthorised payments.
- Write down what happened, the time and the location. Save receipts, journey details and any other evidence.
- Report the incident at a police station and ask for a copy of the report. In Rome, go to the Carabinieri station nearest where the theft happened.
- Contact your insurer. A police report helps support an insurance claim. If your passport was stolen, contact your embassy or consulate.
- Secure any affected accounts and arrange replacement cards or documents. Do not chase a thief or put yourself at risk to recover property.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
Questions
What is the friendly drunk distraction scam in Italy?
A thief pretends to be drunk and friendly. Once you relax or become distracted, they snatch your belongings.
How can I spot it early?
A stranger acts drunk and unusually friendly. They approach closely while drawing your attention away from your belongings.
How do I avoid friendly drunk distraction in Italy?
Keep some distance from unexpected approaches. Keep hold of your belongings during conversations. Move on if the encounter feels intrusive.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Ask nearby people for help and report the theft to police.
Where in Italy does this happen?
Tourist spots at night, including Ponte Vecchio. It has been reported in Florence.
How common is this scam in Italy?
Occasional. Italy is generally safe, but tourist scams and petty theft are common in busy visitor areas. The main risks are pickpockets, taxi tricks, pushy street sellers and people offering unwanted help at ticket machines.
Are there similar scams in Italy?
Yes: pickpockets and distraction teams, ticket-machine cash-return theft, purse and bag snatching.
Who can I report it to?
Polizia di Stato or Carabinieri: go to a police station to report a scam or theft. You can ask any police officer for help. Request a copy of the report for insurance and replacement documents. Carabinieri in Rome: for theft, generally visit the station nearest where it happened. Ask people nearby where to go. Emergency services: call 112 for urgent help or when unsure which service you need. The WhereAreU app can also call 112 and share your phone's GPS position, including when you cannot speak. Card issuer or bank: use its official app or contact number to freeze a stolen or compromised card and dispute unauthorised transactions. Travel insurer: contact its claims service and provide the police report, receipts and other evidence. Embassy or consulate: contact your country's embassy or consulate if your passport or travel documents are stolen.
What number do I call in an emergency in Italy?
General emergency help: 112, Polizia di Stato — State Police: 113, Guardia di Finanza — Financial Police: 117, Fire Department: 115, Medical Rescue: 118, Coast Guard: 1530, State Forestry Department: 1515.
Reviewed by @snuck