Rosemary offers and good-luck distractions in Spain

Tourist areas, especially around Granada's cathedral.

How it works

Someone offers a sprig of rosemary, then demands money after you take it. The offer may lead to fortune-telling or distract you while an accomplice steals. Some approach saying Buena suerte, meaning good luck. In Granada, sellers may refuse coins and demand at least €5. The trick also occurs elsewhere in Spain.

Warning signs

A stranger holds out rosemary or pushes it towards your hand.
Someone offers unsolicited fortune-telling.
One person distracts you while another moves close.

How to avoid it

Do not accept the rosemary.
Say No, gracias firmly and keep walking.
Do not let anyone put items into your hands.
Keep your valuables secure.

If it happens to you

Decline the demand and move away if safe. Check your belongings after the distraction.

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 it can costIn Granada, demands of at least €5 are described.

Where it happensTourist areas, especially around Granada's cathedral.Granada

What travellers report

Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.

More scams in SpainPalm-reading charges and accomplice theft: how to avoid it

Questions

What is the rosemary offers and good-luck distractions scam in Spain?

How can I spot it early?

A stranger holds out rosemary or pushes it towards your hand. Someone offers unsolicited fortune-telling. One person distracts you while another moves close.

How do I avoid rosemary offers and good-luck distractions in Spain?

Do not accept the rosemary. Say No, gracias firmly and keep walking. Do not let anyone put items into your hands. Keep your valuables secure.

What should I do if it happens to me?

Decline the demand and move away if safe. Check your belongings after the distraction.

Where in Spain does this happen?

Tourist areas, especially around Granada's cathedral. It has been reported in Granada.

How much can it cost me?

In Granada, demands of at least €5 are described.

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: shell game and Three Card Monte, palm-reading charges and accomplice theft, street massage extortion.

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