Scam in SpainTheft
Mime, balloon and photo theft in Spain
How it works
People dressed as mimes, with white-painted faces, approach tourists with balloons or invite them to take a photo together. They use the interaction to grab belongings.
Warning signs
- A mime approaches carrying balloons.
- The person invites you into a photo together.
- The person moves close to your belongings.
How to avoid it
- Do not approach the performers described.
- Walk away if they approach you.
- Keep your phone and bag secure.
If it happens to you
Move to safety and report the theft. Do not put yourself at risk trying to recover an item.
- Move somewhere safe. Do not chase thieves or fight over belongings. Call 112 if you are threatened, injured or need urgent help.
- Freeze or cancel stolen cards immediately. Tell your bank or payment provider about any fraudulent payment or transfer.
- Write down what happened. Save receipts, messages, payment records, times, locations and descriptions.
- Report the crime to police. Ask for a copy of the denuncia, the police report, for insurance or replacement documents.
- Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport was stolen. Contact the rental company if a rental vehicle was involved.
- Contact your insurer and keep your report and receipts. If a phone was stolen, secure affected accounts and contact your mobile provider.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
Questions
What is the mime, balloon and photo theft scam in Spain?
People dressed as mimes, with white-painted faces, approach tourists with balloons or invite them to take a photo together. They use the interaction to grab belongings.
How can I spot it early?
A mime approaches carrying balloons. The person invites you into a photo together. The person moves close to your belongings.
How do I avoid mime, balloon and photo theft in Spain?
Do not approach the performers described. Walk away if they approach you. Keep your phone and bag secure.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Move to safety and report the theft. Do not put yourself at risk trying to recover an item.
Where in Spain does this happen?
The square outside Barcelona Cathedral. It has been reported in Barcelona.
How common is this scam in Spain?
Occasional. Spain is generally safe, but pickpocketing and distraction theft are common in busy tourist areas, especially in Barcelona and Madrid. Travellers may also face taxi overcharging, padded restaurant bills, pushy street offers and online payment scams.
Are there similar scams in Spain?
Yes: pickpocketing and team distractions, theft from rental vehicles, metro boarding distraction theft.
Who can I report it to?
Emergency services: call 112 for urgent police, medical or fire help. The number is toll-free. Policía Nacional: report crimes in cities to the National Police. Ask for a copy of the denuncia if you need evidence for insurance or replacement documents. Policía Municipal or Local; Guardia Urbana in Barcelona: ask local police for help finding where to report. They can escort you to Policía Nacional headquarters if required, but do not directly take crime reports as described here. Regional police: regional forces with similar responsibilities to Policía Nacional include Mossos d'Esquadra in Catalonia, Ertzaintza in the Basque Country, Policía Foral in Navarre and Policía Canaria in the Canary Islands. Guardia Civil: seek help for incidents outside cities or on roads between cities. For urgent help, call 112. Your bank or card issuer: use your banking app or a trusted contact number to block cards, report fraud and ask whether a payment or transfer can be stopped or recovered. Your embassy or consulate: contact them through their official contact details if your passport is stolen. Keep your police report for the replacement process. Your travel insurer: report the loss promptly and follow the claim instructions. Keep the police report, receipts and evidence of ownership. Your rental company: use the contact details in your rental agreement to report vehicle damage or theft. Keep the police report and photographs of damage.
What number do I call in an emergency in Spain?
Police, medical and fire emergencies: 112.
Reviewed by @snuck