Scam in BelgiumShopping
Pushy cuberdon sellers in Belgium
How it works
Street vendors use strong sales pitches to persuade people who stop to buy cuberdon sweets. Rival sellers have fought over customers. The concern is sales pressure; no specific fraud or overcharging method is described.
Warning signs
- A seller keeps urging you to buy after you stop.
- Sellers compete strongly for your attention.
How to avoid it
- Keep walking if you do not want to buy.
- Ask the price before agreeing to a purchase.
- Give a short refusal and leave if the sales pitch becomes uncomfortable.
If it happens to you
End the conversation and walk away. If sellers argue, keep your distance.
- Move to a safe place. Do not chase a thief or confront an aggressive seller.
- Call 112 if anyone is hurt, threatened or in immediate danger.
- Block stolen cards promptly. Contact your card issuer about any payment you believe was fraudulent.
- If your phone was stolen, use its lost-device tools and secure important accounts.
- Report the incident to police. Keep receipts, payment records, photos and a written account of what happened. Ask for a report reference.
- Contact your insurer if you have cover. If your passport was stolen, contact your embassy or consulate about a replacement.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
Questions
What is the pushy cuberdon sellers scam in Belgium?
Street vendors use strong sales pitches to persuade people who stop to buy cuberdon sweets. Rival sellers have fought over customers. The concern is sales pressure; no specific fraud or overcharging method is described.
How can I spot it early?
A seller keeps urging you to buy after you stop. Sellers compete strongly for your attention.
How do I avoid pushy cuberdon sellers in Belgium?
Keep walking if you do not want to buy. Ask the price before agreeing to a purchase. Give a short refusal and leave if the sales pitch becomes uncomfortable.
What should I do if it happens to me?
End the conversation and walk away. If sellers argue, keep your distance.
Where in Belgium does this happen?
Kortemunt, also written Korte Munt, near Groentenmarkt. It has been reported in Ghent.
How common is this scam in Belgium?
Occasional. Belgium is generally safe, but pickpocketing and petty theft are common in Brussels. Other concerns include bicycle theft, unattended belongings being stolen, tourist-trap diamond shops in Antwerp and pushy sweet sellers in Ghent.
Are there similar scams in Belgium?
Yes: tourist-trap diamond shops.
Who can I report it to?
Emergency services: call 112 for urgent police, fire or medical help. In Brussels, it works from a mobile phone even without a SIM card. Police: report theft or suspected fraud at a police station. The police number given for Antwerp and Leuven is 101. Antwerp police, non-urgent inquiries: call 0800/12312 free of charge for a non-urgent inquiry or help finding the nearest police station. Leuven local police: call +32 16 21 06 11, or 016 21 06 11 from a local landline. The city centre police station is next to City Hall at Grote Markt. Card issuer: use your banking app or the issuer's official contact details to block a stolen card and report disputed payments. Embassy or consulate: contact your country's embassy or consulate if your passport is stolen or you need help replacing travel documents. Travel insurer: use the contact details on your policy. Keep police reports, receipts and other evidence for your claim.
What number do I call in an emergency in Belgium?
Emergency services: police, fire and ambulance: 112, Police assistance, listed for Antwerp and Leuven: 101.
Reviewed by @snuck