Scam in AustriaOn the street
Rigged hiding-the-ball street game in Austria
How it works
An operator moves a ball or small object under bottle caps or matchboxes. Accomplices appear to win and lose to make the game look fair. Once you bet, the operator secretly removes the ball. Lookouts watch the surrounding area.
Warning signs
- The winning answer looks unusually easy to follow.
- Other players repeatedly win and lose money.
- People stand on either side watching the street.
How to avoid it
- Do not place a bet.
- Do not treat other players' wins as proof that the game is fair.
- Walk past the gathering.
If it happens to you
Stop betting and leave. Do not pay more to try to recover your loss. Report the incident once you are safely away.
- Move to a safe place. Do not chase a thief or argue with a group.
- Block missing payment cards through your card issuer. Secure your phone and accounts if your phone was stolen.
- Write down what happened, where and when. Save receipts, messages and transaction details.
- Report the scam or theft to the police. Call 133 if you need urgent police help.
- Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport was stolen. Tell any rental company if rented property is missing.
- Contact your bank and travel insurer about recovery or a claim. Keep the police report and other evidence.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Redditr/wien2022Street scams in Wien city centreA visitor described witnessing an apparent loss of several hundred euros at a ball-and-cup game near Vienna's cathedral, while commenters suggested the apparent victim could have been an accomplice.Read on Reddit
- Travel blog2023How safe is Vienna (and Austria)The Vienna travel blog reported operators on Kärntner Straße enticing tourists into shell games played with empty matchboxes.Read on Travel blog
Questions
What is the rigged hiding-the-ball street game scam in Austria?
An operator moves a ball or small object under bottle caps or matchboxes. Accomplices appear to win and lose to make the game look fair. Once you bet, the operator secretly removes the ball. Lookouts watch the surrounding area.
How can I spot it early?
The winning answer looks unusually easy to follow. Other players repeatedly win and lose money. People stand on either side watching the street.
How do I avoid rigged hiding-the-ball street game in Austria?
Do not place a bet. Do not treat other players' wins as proof that the game is fair. Walk past the gathering.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Stop betting and leave. Do not pay more to try to recover your loss. Report the incident once you are safely away.
Where in Austria does this happen?
Popular tourist areas in Vienna, including Stephansplatz and Mariahilfer Straße. It has been reported in Vienna.
How common is this scam in Austria?
Occasional. Austria is generally very safe, but theft and street scams can still catch visitors out. Watch your belongings in crowds, lock bicycles carefully, and be cautious of street gambling, unwanted gifts and people claiming to be police.
Are there similar scams in Austria?
Yes: unwanted gift followed by a payment demand, requests for train-ticket money.
Who can I report it to?
Federal police — Polizei: report scams and theft at a police station. Call 133 for urgent police help. For a serious crime report in Vienna, ask for an English-speaking officer if needed. Police station at Karlsplatz U-Bahn station: if someone claiming to be police approaches you around Karlsplatz, ask to continue the check at this station. Card issuer: use your issuer's official app or phone number to block stolen cards and report disputed transactions. PayLife: the listed number for blocking lost or stolen credit cards is 05 990 645 00. You can also contact your own card issuer directly. Embassy or consulate: contact your country's embassy or consulate through its official contact details if your passport is lost or stolen. Travel insurer: contact your insurer through its official claims channel. Keep receipts, evidence and your police report.
What number do I call in an emergency in Austria?
Police: 133, Ambulance / rescue: 144, Fire department: 122, PayLife lost or stolen credit-card blocking: 05 990 645 00.
Reviewed by @snuck